educate issue 20 2013

EducateFREE

The Magazine for Parents and Pupils

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GrammaticallyspeakingLiteracydevelopment

+INSIDETeachersmatterShaping children’s lives

May – August 2013

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agazine for Parents and

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Published by Mersey Mirror, 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS. Tel: 0151 709 7567 Fax: 0151 707 1678 Email: [email protected] Executive Editor Kim O’Brien Advertising Sales Manager Andy Rogers Tel: 0151 709 7567 Photography Tom Murphy Editorial Alan Birkett, Lucy Oliver, Natasha Young, Rebecca Hatch Design & Production Mersey Mirror, 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS. Tel: 0151 706 7411 Email: [email protected] Distribution Barbara Troughton Tel: 0151 733 5492. Printed by PCP. Educate magazine is published by Mersey Mirror. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted or reproduced without permission. Disclaimer The information contained within Educate we believe to be correct at the time of printing, no responsibility can be accepted for errors or omissions.© Copyright Mersey Mirror 2009.

Welcome...Welcome to our latest jampacked issue of Educate.

With government researchclearly showing that goodquality education early onbenefits children in the longterm we look at why a firstrate education cannot beemphasised enough.

Educate meets up with GerardLonergan, headteacher ofGateacre School and finds outwhy it has become home toone of the mostoversubscribed musicdepartments in the country.We also speak to StuartJamieson, headteacher ofHuyton Arts and Sports Centrefor Learning, and how theywant to inspire learners todayas leaders tomorrow.

Our roundtable discuss sportin schools and ask if enough isbeing done in schools to helpensure children are physicallyactive and how can funding beused correctly to enhance thesport and physical educationon offer in schools.

As summer is on the horizonwe look at summer florals thatmake girls glow and boysbloom.

Finally, we talk to Ryan Doyle,freerunner and parkour worldchampion, hip hop rapper andbudding film-maker and hisLiverpool school days.

Many thanks

Features

08-10Teachers matterThe effective provision of pre-schooleducation

22-23Meet the headteacherGerard Lonergan, Gateacre School

28-31Educate’s roundtableSport in schools

48-50Grammatically speakingHave we really fallen behind in ourgrammar?

52-53Meet the headteacherStuart Jamieson, Huyton Arts and SportsCentre for Learning

56Dear EducateHelp and advice

58A week in the lifePaul Cronin headteacher, St Laurence’sCatholic Primary School, Kirkby

60-62School eco-newsPillaging, marauding… and recycling

69-76Educate PlusCareer options at 16: Apprenticeships

99ViewpointLonger days and shorter holidays for pupils?

100-101Darling budsSummer floral fashion

103Book reviewThis season’s must reads

104-105Where can we go?Our pick of what’s happening

106My school daysRyan Doyle

Educate Contents52-53 104

48-50 64

Teacher

of the YearVote for your

101

Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 5

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Who gets yourtop mark?

Closing date for entries Monday 30 September 2013For more information and to receive an entry pack email [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter @EducateAwards

Entries open to all schools throughoutLiverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens & Halton

Vote for your

Teacherof theYear

Nominate online atwww.educateawards.co.uk

Associate Sponsors

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Government research clearly shows that good quality education early

on benefits children in the long term. The Effective Provision of

Pre-School Education project for instance, has shown that high-quality,

pre-school provision enhances children's all round cognitive,

language and social development.

Teachers Matter


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The difference between those with an

adequate schooling and those with

good or great schooling is marked

and significant. In countries such

as Finland, Singapore and South

Korea, teaching has been

deliberately placed at the

same social ranking as

doctors and lawyers.

The reasoning behind

this is an attempt to

transform teaching into

an elitist profession in

order to attract and

subsequently train only

the brightest and most

passionate graduates. The

result is that these countries

achieve some of the highest

academic results in the world.

The Global Partnership for

Education says: “The impact of

investment in education is profound;

education results in raising income,

improving health, promoting gender

equality, mitigating climate change,

and reducing poverty.”

They say that as children, our minds are

like sponges; soaking up information at a

rate we would find impossible as adults.

It stands to reason then, that what we

encounter during these early years has

a significant and profound effect on the

people we become in later life. As such,

the importance of a first rate education

cannot be emphasised enough. But what

distinguishes a great experience from a

mediocre one? Countless academic studies

have shown that the single most important

factor is the quality of the teachers.

Resources and a solid curriculum are vitally

important, but without the correct vessel

to deliver them, they become inhibited.

Useful but not quite reaching full potential.

It is with this in mind, that we look to

teachers. The people who spend their lives

keeping our children engaged and

interested in learning. The people who have

the power to inspire or dispirit the young

minds in their charge.

Education secretary Michael Gove

understands the importance of recruiting

good teachers into the profession. Recently,

he delivered a White Paper called The

Importance of Teaching, which emphasises

the necessity to maintain the quality of

teaching in our schools to ensure a

worthwhile education. This is something

David Cameron echoes and the Prime

Minister has been placing a huge focus

on educational issues in government

of late in a drive to sustain the skill

set of future workers for generations

to come.

There are many things

that constitute a good

teacher but one

essential aspect is the

ability to provide a

vibrant, well-rounded

experience in the

academic world. One

of Gove’s ambitions is

to provide better routes

for suitable candidates

to come into teaching

from other careers, which

may mean a more diverse range

of staff and therefore a more

enriched experience for children.

This might be a good way of

considering alternative teaching cultures

for our classrooms; someone who has seen

more than academia may be able to provide

a better insight into the real world.

Gian Fiero, Professor in career progression

at San Francisco State University is aware of

the temptation to teach children to pass

exams rather than immersing them

thoroughly in the subject matter. On his own

experience in education, he said: “It was

about preparing them to excel on their

standardised tests. Many schools were

transformed into testing centres and

learning had almost become secondary.” He

believes the key to great teaching is to move

away from this. Children need to know more

than their multiplication tables; they need to

be challenged in other ways through

community activities, extra curricular

projects and innovative technologies.

“Once you achievea solid relationship, then allthe learning aims you want

flow much more easily.”

Gerard Lonerganheadteacher, Gateacre School


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The Educate Awards, sponsored by Connex Education

have a Teacher of the Year category, which is specifically

designed to recognise outstanding teachers in the

North West. Last year we were overwhelmed with the

quality of the nominations; it seems our region has no

shortage of amazing teachers. In the end, it was Mr

McCole from St Cecilia's Catholic Junior School who

took home the title for his inspirational attitude. As a

previous winner of the Liverpool Marathon, Mr McCole

transformed his school’s sport programs by

incorporating his passion for exercise into the

curriculum. Teachers like Mr McCole inspire us with their

enthusiasm to go above and beyond the basics and

make a real difference in areas that need it.

If you know a teacher who has gone the extra mile,

inspired you or has taken an innovative approach, you can

nominate them for our Teacher of the Year award through

our website: www.educateawards.co.uk. You should

provide as much relevant information as possible to assist

the judges in making an informed decision on the merits

of the nominations received. For school pupils wishing to

nominate a teacher, you may wish to consider drafting the

nomination with fellow classmates and possibly involve

another member of staff at the school.

Who gets your top mark?

The other categories for the awards are:

Most Inspirational Primary School

Most Inspirational Secondary School

Community Partnership Award

Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary School

Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Secondary School

Eco School Project of the Year

The Communication Award

Spirit of Enterprise Award

Innovative and Creative Literacy Award

SEN Provision Award

Science Project of the Year

Outstanding Arts in Primary School

Outstanding Arts in Secondary School

Career Aspiration Award

WOW Recognition Award

Nominations for other categories are also madethrough the website.

Visit www.educateawards.co.uk for more details.


This is something reflected by Liverpool

head Gerard Lonergan of Gateacre School in

Hedgefield Road who maintains that exams

are not the end point of education. Of course

results are important, but school is about

more than learning maths and English. He

works hard to build strong relationships with

his pupils because engaging them is the only

way to ensure that they get the most out of

their time at school. “Once you achieve a

solid relationship, then all the learning aims

you want flow much more easily,” he says.

So a great teacher can be a number of

different things. Perhaps they are not rigidly

concerned with reaching targets, but are also

interested in promoting an understanding

of other issues such as the community

or the environment. Perhaps they have

a particularly innovative approach to

learning, or have managed to incorporate

technology into the classroom in an unusual

way. Or maybe they simply have a great

attitude. Being personable and engaging

with pupils can be an invaluable way to

promote a love of learning and building

relationships like this is useful in helping

students to realise their full potential.

Vote for your

Teacherof the Year

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Primary News

Back on trackInspectors praise Southport schoolOfsted inspectors have praised aSouthport primary school - just 12months after it was told to improve.

Marshside Primary School was judgedto be struggling early last year, butinspectors returned and declared thatthe school, now under a new seniorleadership team, is ‘back on track.’

Headteacher Katharine Hall said: “Weare pleased with Ofsted’s recognition ofour progress over the last 12 months andfor their confirmation that we areheading in the right direction. Thisinspection report paves the way forfurther improvement.

“We are under no illusions about thetask still facing Marshside to ensureconsistently high achievement by ourpupils. Children, staff, parents andgovernors are working incredibly hard.We are committed to achieving the bestpossible outcome for our pupils.”

The latest Ofsted report states: “Goodleadership and management,spearheaded by the

headteacher, have been central to theschool getting back on track and out of acategory of concern. Much has beenaccomplished to turn things around andget the school back to this point.

“Current leaders are workingeffectively to drive the school forward.

They keep a close eye on the school’sperformance and are very clear about thedirection the school must take toimprove further.

“No stone is left unturned to ensure

that all pupils, including those mostvulnerable, are well cared for andsupported. Pupils in all classes arehappy. They feel safe, behave well andhave positive attitudes to their learning.”

Headteacher of Marshside Primary School Katharine Hall with pupilsRianna, Matthew, Tayla and George.

Pupils from St Oswalds Catholic Infant School, Old Swanhave been taking part in their Annual Friendship Week.

During the week all of the children from Nursery to Year 2took part in a variety of learning experiences which helped todevelop their understanding of being a good friend.

The children have had a friendship packed week includingactivities such as - friendship circles, making friend poems andrecipes for friendships, designing badges and magnets ‘Play

together day’.Year 1 and 2 children also took part in ‘Big Foot’ theatre

group workshops and over 120 children took part in aperformance of ‘Mr Big’ a friendship story.

Events also included whole school ‘friends ‘themed assemblywith children from each class sharing their experiences andtheir creations, certificates were given to children whodemonstrated’ special friend qualities during the week.

Dedicated to staying friends forever

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Celebrating outstanding achievement

Most Inspirational Primary SchoolMost Inspirational Secondary SchoolCommunity Partnership AwardOutstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary SchoolsOutstanding Commitment to Sport in Secondary SchoolsEco Project of the YearThe Communication Award Teacher of the Year

Career Aspiration AwardSpirit of Enterprise Award Innovative and Creative Literacy AwardSEN Provision Award Science Project of the YearOutstanding Arts in Primary SchoolsOutstanding Arts in Secondary SchoolsWOW Recognition Award

Closing date for entries Monday 30 September 2013For more information and to receive an entry pack email [email protected]


Award Categories:

Entries open to all schools throughoutLiverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens & Halton

Associate Sponsors

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Drop everythingand readChildren and staff at St Nicholas CEPrimary School were “clued” intobooks recently as they celebratedWorld Book Day.

Instead of the usual dressing upevent, children brought in clues to theirfavourite books and had a competitionto see if their classmates could guessthe title or character. Activities such as‘drop everything and read, story swaps;a book treasure hunt and much morewere enjoyed during the week.

A charity readathon was alsolaunched to raise money for children’scancer charity, Clic Sargent. Thechildren have set themselves a reading

challenge and they will collectsponsorship money to help childrenacross the UK who have been diagnosedwith cancer.

Kim Limerick, literacy subject leadersaid: “We have wonderful readers hereat St Nicholas and it has been such afantastic week. The children havethrown themselves into our readathonchallenge and we hope to raise lots ofmoney.

“The book clues were superb andeveryone had great fun trying to guesswhich book they represented. It’s adelight to see everyone so enthusiasticabout books.”

Pupils are staying e-safePupils at St Michael and All Angels Primary School inWestvale, Kirkby have been learning about ‘e-safety’.

Each year group took part in their own ‘e-safety week’ andexplored the ways in which they access online sites, games etcand about the importance of staying safe on the internet.

The year groups also delivered an assembly, which teachersare following up with an information session for parents.

The school is also surveying parents to gather their views orconcerns about their children’s internet use and offering furthersessions on a variety of topics, from setting parental internetcontrols on home devices to staying up to date with the latestsocial networking sites.

The children have created a variety of posters and leaflets,which are being displayed in a number of places around Kirkby.

So, if you’re taking out a book in Knowsley library or goingfor a swim in Kirkby sports centre, catching a train to Liverpoolor shopping in the town centre, keep your eyes open for their e-safety information.

Drivers bewareMadison Reed from Knowsley wantsthe world to slow down – well,outside her school at least.

The five-year-old helped create a signto warn drivers outside St Mary and StPauls Primary in Prescot to watch theirspeed.

The design was created in acompetition supported by Knowsley’stravel plan advisor.

Three winning entries have beenmade into permanent signs displayedoutside the school in Bryer Road.

The road safety campaign has alsoencouraged pupils to walk or cycle toschool more often.

Older pupils at the school have takenpart in cyclist training to gain the skillsand confidence to cycle on the road.

The school has also had somefinancial help to install racks wherebikes can be left and they’ve providedpupils with safety and securityequipment.

Primary News

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Primary News

Champion of healthy eatingEverton star supports healthy lifestylesLeighton Baines gave local youngpeople a helping hand as they foundout more about keeping fit andhealthy.

The Everton left-back paid a visit toSpringwood Heath Primary School inLiverpool to support a special healthylifestyle class and help pupils understandthe importance of eating nutritious food.

As the school children got to workplanning a healthy dinner, Baines madehis way around the group to talk about hisfavourite meals and a typical diet for aprofessional footballer.

Once out of the classroom, the Englandinternational also took part in a coachingsession with Year 5 pupils and Everton inthe Community coaches to demonstratehow sport is a fun way to keep active andfit.

Recent figures, released last Decemberby the National Child MeasurementProgramme, show that one in threechildren in the final year of primary schoolin England is overweight or obese soEverton teamed up with SpringwoodHeath Primary School to back their effortsto promote healthy lifestyles.

The school actively promote a healthydiet and regularly offer advice to parentson providing their children with a healthy

packed lunch. Baines said: “As professional footballers,

we have a whole team of people makingsure we eat and train in the correct way tomake sure we stay at the top of our game.

“It’s important that children understandfrom a young age that they need to lookafter themselves by eating healthily and

initiatives like this show that keeping fitcan be fun too.“Schools play a massive part inencouraging children to keep active andhave a healthy diet and I’m happy tosupport this and hopefully make adifference.”

BREAKFAST BONANZA TO BOOST BRAIN POWERRoald Dahl, wildlife and Far Eastern culture are just someof the themes at a Liverpool primary school breakfastclub.

Funded by housing association Riverside, which donated

£780 from its community chest fund, the ‘Breakfast Bonanza’ atKirkby Primary School is proving to be the perfect start to theday.

The breakfasts are held in the school hall and children,parents and staff are all invited to eat together. The parents canalso take away recipes so they can reproduce the meals athome.

Elaine Parr, extended school services co-ordinator at KirkbyPrimary School, said: “Research has revealed that as many asone in seven children don’t have breakfast. Yet it is a well-known fact that breakfast is the most important meal of theday.

“Children who eat breakfast perform better, both mentallyand physically, than those who don’t. There is also a directcorrelation between those who skip breakfast and obesity.”

Sophie Brown, community engagement officer for Riverside,added: “No child should be prevented from attending a socialclub or miss out on well-balanced and nutritional food becauseof financial barriers.

“Often parents only attend school when there is a problem soit can be quite intimidating. Also some parents feel isolated onthe playground if they don’t know other parents. The ‘BreakfastBonanza’ addresses these issues in a relaxed social setting.”

By allowing the children to have an input into what food isbought, how it is prepared and how the hall is decorated, it ishoped they will learn new skills and be able to help theirparents prepare healthy meals at home in the future.

Leighton Baines talksto pupils abouthealthy lifestyles

Breakfast fun for Kirkby Primary pupils

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Primary News

The pupils from Our Lady ofAssumption Primary recently helda storytelling workshop with Year11 drama students from GateacreSchool.

The students were dressed asfamous storybook princes and

princesses whilst the read fairytalestories, played games and providedface painting to celebrate world bookday.

The pupils from Our Lady’s alsodressed up as characters from theirfavourite story books.

Once upon atime in Gateacre

Maisie’s winning twinning designBirkdale Primary pupil Maisie Bellerby has scooped a topdesign award as part of a competition run by the Mayor ofSefton.

Last year budding artists were asked to design a special logoto mark 50 years of twinning between Sefton and Mons,Belgium.

The design had to incorporate the Sefton logo, the Mons crest,mention the 50th anniversary (1964-2014) and any iconic imagesof Sefton and Mons.

Hundreds of entries were received and after much deliberationby the Mayor and Mayoress of Sefton, Cllr Kevin Cluskey, 10-year-old Maisie's design was declared the overall winner.

Maisie's design will now be featured on all Mayoralletterheads, the Sefton Council website and used throughout2013 through to the actual anniversary in 2014.

During a class visit to Bootle Town Hall, Maisie was told shewas the winner of the competition and received a Sefton goodybag from the Mayor of Sefton and a framed print of her winningdesign.

Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Kevin Cluskey, said: "As with any artcompetitions we hold, the standard of entries was exceptional.

"Maisie's colourful design really captured the twinning spiritwe were looking for with both the Sefton and Mons crests usedalong with the flags of Great Britain and Belgium.

"A big congratulation goes to Maisie but I would also like tothank all the other artists who took the time to enter thecompetition which proved to be a real headache to judge!"

Maisie Bellerby with the Mayor and Mayoress ofSefton, cllrs Kevin and Linda Cluskey, Maisie's mumSarah Catterall and brother Edward and her winningtwinning design

BUILDING AGREENER FUTUREPupils at a Prescot primary school arebuilding a greener future – with the helpof hundreds of recycled plastic bottles.

Evelyn Primary School’s latest ‘green’initiative involves building an outdoorclassroom made from recycled plastic bottles –following a successful project to create agreenhouse made from drinks containers.

The school is one Knowsley’s leading ‘ecoschools’ and has gained bronze and silverawards recognising their environmental efforts.They’ve also scooped the eco schools top GreenFlag award twice, and are currently bidding fora third.

From recycling in the classroom and reusingitems for art projects, to switching off electricalitems when not in use and composting fruitand vegetable waste - the children have provedtheir green credentials.

Eco schools is an international awardprogramme which encourages schools toreduce waste, encourage recycling and protectthe environment.

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Primary News

School in full songKnowsley school wins top singing awardA Knowsley primary has won a topaward for putting singing at theheart of school life.

Ravenscroft in Kirkby is one of onlytwo schools in Merseyside to gainplatinum singing schools status.

The award has been given by the notfor profit organisation Sing Up thatpromotes singing in schools.

The school has a ‘Good morning andgood afternoon’ song, a line up song,singing stops on the playground and asinging club for younger pupils.

The older pupils act as singing leaders,singing playground songs with theyounger children, there’s a singing cluband a large choir that sings in thecommunity.

“Every class has its singing leadersand our teachers sing something withthe children every day,” said the head ofRavenscroft, Jeanette Hegarty.

“The children sing off the cuff as theymake their way around the school andpraise each other’s efforts. They’realways ready to do solo performancestoo.

“They love it and its all had anincredibly positive impact on their

behaviour, self confidence and selfesteem.”

Jeanette said the “infectiousdetermination” of staff member NicolaCochrane, had helped them become asinging school.

Angela Ball, head of Knowsley’s musicand performing arts service presentedthe platinum award to the children at a

school assembly.Also at the assembly were Knowsley

MP George Howarth and SteveRotherham, Labour MP for Walton inLiverpool.

Steve’s been heavily involved in thecampaign to help people affected by theHillsborough disaster and the school hasraised money for the campaign.

Pupils from Ravenscroft perform at the special assembly

Pupil SHINE on courseThis year’s SHINE programme is well underway in Sefton, with 25 girls from six state primary schoolsparticipating in the Saturday course for academically inquisitive girls.

They are the second cohorts to join in on the SHINE programme (Support and Help in Education), which is funded byan educational charity aiming to heighten the aspirations of intellectually astute youngsters.

The Year 6 girls from Bootle, Aintree, Formby and Crosby were chosen by their teachers as the most hard-working,dedicated and intelligent pupils, as well as those most likely to feel the long-term benefits from such a scheme.

The SHINE programme is called ‘Dead on Time – Unlocking Murder Mysteries’, and itinvolves detective work using ICT systems, laboratory techniques andreconstructing cases using drama and film work. Specialistsubject teachers as well as external experts,including a barrister, a Special Branch officerand renowned children’s author, Kate Maryon,teach all sessions.

MTGS is the first school outside Manchesteror London to be supported by SHINE, andthis is the second out of three years forwhich they have received funding. Theycurrently have two Year 7 pupils whoattended last year’s programme, whichwas an unexpected but a very welcomeoutcome. They hope that this year’scohort will demonstrate the same dramaticimprovement in their SATS this May aslast year’s cohort.Right: Pupils from Forefield JuniorSchool, Crosby with author KateMaryon.

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Primary News

Tough oppositionTeam crowned north west championsMerchant Taylors’ Junior Boys’ rugbyteam have been crowned the U11north west champions after beatingStockport Grammar in the Associationof Junior Independent Schools (AJIS)Cup Final.

The team finished the tournament on ahigh with a resounding 35-7 win againstthe grammar school, making it their 12thwin in as many away games this season.

Team coach Mr D Youngson said:“We’re delighted to have won the cup,

and it demonstrates just how much hardwork and commitment the boys have putin to training this year.

“We’ve had a fantastic season with thefinal following other matches againstBirkenhead Prep where we won 56-0,Manchester Grammar 47-0 and LiverpoolCollege 49-0. The win marks the end of avery successful season for the boys andwe look forward to carrying on with theirrugby training as they move up into thesenior school”.

The triumphant Merchant Taylors’ Junior Boys rugby team who werecrowned U11 North West champions

TAKING UP THE CHALLENGEYear 2 children from Lister Infant Schoolrecently participated in the Head forBusiness Challenge organised by Liverpoolcity council.

As part of the challenge the children publisheda booklet highlighting activities children inTuebrook can take part in.

The pupils sold the booklet around thecommunity; it proved such a success that they arepublishing further editions.

Deputy headteacher, Mrs Davies, said: “Thankyou to everyone who has supported the EnterpriseProject by buying the magazine they have made. Ifanyone has any ideas they would like us toinclude in the next edition, please contact theschool”.

The ‘Head for Business’ challenge was aimed atprimary, secondary and special schools in the city.

Teams were given a £100 start up fund to helpestablish their business. The enterprise challengeare focused around business planning, sales andmarketing with volunteer business mentorssupporting pupils through every stage.Proud Year 2 pupils show off their latest publication

Taffy’s talesMosspits Primary school,Liverpool, celebrated nationalstorytelling week with an extraspecial visit from Taffy Thomasthe storyteller.

Taffy, a professional storyteller leadstorytelling sessions for Years 1-6throughout the day, Taffy has arepertoire of more than 300 stories.

He also brought along the ‘TaleCoat’ which Taffy said is a uniqueworking piece of art.

The coat was displayed on a tailor'sdummy and then donned by thestoryteller for his performance whenpupils from Mosspits were invited totreat it almost as a jukebox bypointing to an image on the coat andsaying, “We’d like to hear that story.”

Deputy headteacher, Mrs Owens,said: “The children really enjoyedTaffy and his ‘Tale Coat’, he has somany wonderful tales that he kept thechildren enthralled throughout theday”.

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Meet the Headteacher Gerard Lonergan, Gateacre School

In 2005 Gateacre School was designated as a specialist collegefor humanities and arts. The school is home to one of the mostoversubscribed music departments in the country and in recentyears, Gateacre School pupils have performed in concerts andplays at many prestigious and high profile venues including:the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool Playhouse and LIPA.

Rebecca Hatch

Headteacher Gerard Lonerganhas a background in the arts.He briefly worked as the

manager of a private art gallerybefore turning to teaching 27 yearsago. Almost immediately hediscovered life in the classroom to behis true vocation, but he stillmaintains that the arts are anessential part of the educationalrealm.

“I’ve always felt that it was veryimportant for all students to have a richexposure to artistic experiences. If youdon’t get that through your homebackground, I think it’s very importantthat school helps you access thosethings,” says Gerard. As such, he ensuresthat the school makes regular trips toconcerts, exhibitions and the theatre.

This stance helps to build uponGerard’s visions for the school asheadteacher. He firmly believes thatwhilst exams are important, they are notthe be all and end all. “The end point is

what you do with it,” he says. In order todevelop well-rounded individuals, it isessential to understand education asmore than just a theoretical exercise.

“For many students, they learnpractical skills and applications of theireducation by taking part in otherprojects.”

One way in which Gerard isencouraging this, is through extracurricular activities. The schoolparticipates in a multitude of communityprojects and Gateacre School has been soproactive in this area, that they were thewinners of the Educate AwardsCommunity Partnership title in 2012.

“Gateacre School is in a communitywhere a lot of people have challenginglives one way or another,” says Gerard.“It’s not an area of great wealth and it’snot terribly well supported with facilitiesby central government or by localplanning; so the school is a veryimportant focus in the community forhelping a whole range of people accesssome of the more quality aspects of life.”

Through working with the communityas a whole, he believes the benefits willfilter down through families and have animpact on their children which in turn,will better prepare them for what he istrying to do in school. It is a rather largeand ambitious vision, but the figuressuggest it is having a positive impact.

Last year saw pupils leaving Gateacrewith a rate of 47% achieving 5 A*-Cgrades including English and maths, and71% achieving 5 A* - C grades overall.“The school has been on a gradualupward improvement strategy,” saysGerard. “We make sure that throughout

Achievinggreatness

It's all about opening doors forstudents, giving

them opportunitiesthat they themselves

would never haveimagined they could

access

“

”

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the school, the quality of teaching is ashigh as it can be. We also make sure thatin the lead up to exams, students areindividually prepared through mentoringprograms and additional activities overand above the teaching that they receivein lesson time.”

It is this personal mentoring thatGerard cites as one of the reasons forpupil’s success within the school. Hebelieves achieving well is all about therelationships built by teachers.

Speaking about his primary goals uponcoming to the school he says: “My firstobjectives were making sure that all therelationships within the school werebased on complete respect for each other,no matter what their age, no matter whattheir background. Once you achieve that,then all the learning aims you want flowmuch more easily.”

It is no surprise then, that Ofsteddescribed the students as: “invariablycourteous and polite, contributing to asafe, welcoming and harmoniouscommunity”.

It’s a solid theory. All to often itseems, children from poorer backgroundswith low aspirations are not nurtured andencouraged as properly as they shouldbe. The outdated idea that money breedsintelligence is a major problem in someof the less affluent areas of the country.It can lead to a sense of acceptance inchildren that they are not destined to begreat because they were not born great.

The values Gerard brings to the schoolare based on re-enforcing the notion thateveryone deserves a rich education, nomatter what their background. “It’s allabout opening doors for students, givingthem opportunities that they themselveswould never have imagined they could

access,” says Gerard. He illustrates withthe example of a pupil who left GateacreSchool for Cambridge university last year.

“She is a student that comes from oneof the local estates. All of the stereotypeswould normally suggest that people likeher don’t achieve the highest outcomes.Well, she is just proof that you can nomatter what your background, if you’reactually prepared to do the right things,”he says. “The relationship we built madeher realise that it was a possibility forher.

“If you work hard you can do anything,go anywhere and nothing is out of yourreach”.

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Primary News

Celebrating successPrimary recognised as one of the bestA Knowsley primary school iscelebrating after being recognised asone of the best in the country.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Schoolin Huyton received a personal letter ofcongratulation from the minister of statefor schools, MP David Laws, after pupilsexcelled at Key Stage 2 tests at the end

of last year.Every pupil at the school achieved

Level 4 or above in both English andmaths, and 60% even managed Level 5or above in English and 56% in maths.

The school has a long track record ofout-performing the national average atKey Stage 2, but the results in 2012

were among their best ever.In the letter, Mr Laws wrote: “The

overall percentage of your pupilsachieving Level 4+, combined withexcellent rates of progress in bothEnglish and mathematics place youamongst the top performing primaryschools this year.

“Mastery of English and mathematicsis critical to success at secondaryschool and beyond, so these pupils nowhave a really good start for the nextstage of their education.”

The letter thanked staff, governors,parents and pupils for the part theyhave played in the achievement.

Headteacher Charlie Newstead said:“Such achievements for our school arethe result of the hard work anddetermination of the pupils and staff,combined with the support from parentsin the education of their children.

“Our school’s mission statement:“Everyone together with Jesus”recognises the important role played byall who contribute towards the successof our pupils. I am rightfully proud ofeveryone.”

St Joseph’s put their success down toa close focus on teaching the basicskills of reading, writing and maths,something which was recognised whenthe school was awarded the Basic SkillsQuality Mark in March 2012.

Pupils from St Joseph’s Primary proudly show their letter from DavidLaws MP, the Minister of State Schools

Bob ‘fixes it’ at a local parkChildren’s favourite Bobthe Builder was fixing itfor Kirkby youngsters tobring a new-look playarea to a local park.

Bob and pupils from StLaurence’s Primaryschools in Kirkby joinedworkers starting a £68,000project to create a newtoddlers’ play area atWebster Park inCherryfield Drive, Kirkby.

The children wereasked what they wantedin the play area and werekeen to see how theirideas had been includedin the final design, whichincludes a roundabout,climbing frame, swings,see saw and natural playboulders.

The project has been

spearheaded by theFriends of Webster Park inpartnership with thecouncil and funded byIbstock Cory, the BigLottery CommunitySpaces Fund andKnowsley Council.

Cllr Eddie Connor,Knowsley’s cabinetmember for leisure,community and culturesaid: “We have supportedthe ‘Friends’ group bid forthe funding which iscreating this exciting newplay area. Our childrenhad many great ideas,which have been reflectedin the final design. Whencompleted this new-lookplay area will be well usedand a great addition to thepark.”Pupils join Bob the Builder at Webster Park

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Come and see for yourself

Hedgefield Road, Liverpool L25 2RW0151 235 1400

www.gateacre.liverpool.sch.ukgateacre-ao@gateacre.liverpool.sch.uk

@GateacreSchool

WINNER OF THECOMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD

GATEACRE SCHOOL

Creating learnersexciting minds

Innovative, Dynamic,InspiringAnd that's not just our school building

Open Evening4.00pm –7.00pm24th September 2013Students and parents are invited to tour the school, talk to staff and students and sample a wide range of activities.

Open Morning9.00am – 12.00 noon25th September 2013An opportunity for parents to meet staffand students and tour the school andsee us at our best: working with ourstudents. (Parents must pre-book a tourtime slot before arrival).

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Primary News

Aintree Davenhill Primaryschool's multi-millionpound revamp wasofficially opened by HRHThe Countess of Wessex.

The Countess toured theschool recently to mark theopening of a rebuild schemecosting more than £5m.

On arriving at the school,she met teachers, pupils andstaff at Aintree Davenhill, theMayor and Mayoress ofSefton, Cllrs Kevin and LindaCluskey, other councillors,Sefton Council staff andarchitects and contractorsinvolved in the buildingscheme.

A tour of the school wascarried out and the Countessalso met the Friends ofDavenhill group and otherschool volunteers.

Deena Kelley, AintreeDavenhill headteacher, said:“We were absolutelydelighted to welcome HRHThe Countess of Wessex toofficially mark the opening ofthe new look school.

“During her visit, theCountess toured the newbuildings and was amusedand entertained by thechildren singing for her.

“At all times during hertour, she made the childrenher priority, speaking to manymore than we had planned forin the short time available.She was lovely with the

children asking them abouttheir work, visiting thereception princess’s castleand helping a child solve apuzzle in the library.

“After signing our visitorbook the Countess waspresented with a posy andletters by the head girl,Jessica Gillin and the headboy Joshua Cronin.

“Visitors, staff and pupilsall enjoyed the visitimmensely and we are allvery proud how the schoolnow looks”.

The old school buildingwas built in the 1950s usingan aluminium frame systembut had major issues withheating costs and a poorlayout.

Following a grant of £2mfrom the primary capitalinitiative from the departmentfor education, half of theschool was totally rebuilt in2010 in a scheme which stillallowed the school tofunction.

Cllr Ian Moncur, cabinetmember for children, schools,families and leisure, said:“From the very onset thisscheme has been aresounding success.

“Young people in andaround Aintree now have aschool building completelyrejuvenated and transformedinto a modern learningenvironment”.

Countess shinesat school INVESTING IN

THE FUTURELiverpool Community Health (LCH) NHS Trust issupporting children from St Sebastian’s RomanCatholic Primary School in setting up a socialbusiness aimed at encouraging young people togrow their own, healthy vegetables.

The Trust has been working with a group of studentsfrom the school, as part of Liverpool Vision’s Head forBusiness School Challenge, which aims to help nurturethe next generation of business entrepreneurs fromwithin the city.

Under the scheme, all participating schools received a£100 start-up fund to help them establish a sustainable,eco-friendly, socially responsible business enterprise, andover the coming weeks will be asked to participate inchallenge rounds.

The team of students from St Sebastian’s investedtheir start-up fund into the launch of a new venture,which involves them producing and selling their own‘Sow&Grow’ kits.

Designed entirely by children from the school, for otherchildren, each ‘Sow&Grow’ kit contains everything youneed to start growing your own healthy fruit & veg,including a packet of seeds, a plant pot, soil andinstructions.

Over the coming weeks, the school will also be lookingfor other community partnerships to help them sell theirnew product.

Kate O’ Callaghan, a teacher from St Sebastian’s RCPrimary School who is co-ordinating the project adds:

“The students are all really excited to have theopportunity to partner up with local businesses like ‘TheBig Apple Van’ stocking and helping to sell their newproduct to people all over the city.

“Taking part in this competition has been a reallyfantastic learning opportunity for all of the studentsinvolved, and we’ve already had some great feedbackabout the Sow&Grow kits.

“We’re very grateful to Liverpool Community Health forhelping us to get our social enterprise off the ground.”

Below: Children and staff at St Sebastian’s RCPrimary officially launch their new product

p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 08:28


p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 08:28

According to the Department of Health, 30% of children aged twoto 15 in England are overweight or obese. In light of this statistic,the government is aiming to see a ‘sustained downward trendin the level of excess weight in children’ by 2020. Is enough beingdone in schools to help ensure children are physically active andhow can funding be used correctly to enhance the sport andphysical education on offer in schools? Three sport educationexperts came together to discuss.

Attendees:

Calum Donnelly, development manager (sport), Merseyside Sport Partnership

Natalie Wray, Childwall Sports and Science Academy

Gillian Griffiths, senior lecturer in PE, Edge Hill University

Sport inschools

Educate’s roundtable

Calum Donnelly,development manager (sport), MerseysideSport Partnership

Gillian Griffiths senior lecturer in PE, Edge Hill University

Natalie WrayChildwall Sports and Science Academy


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What do you think of the level of sport

that’s been offered to children in recent

years and prior to the Olympics?

NW: At Childwall Sports and Science Academy

we’re very lucky that we offer a lot of sport, not

only to primary schools that are incoming but

also to our students and sixth form students.

We’ve obviously got the National Curriculum,

a range of sports out of school time and we have

extended clubs that are running throughout the

holidays as well. It’s not just a school nine to five;

we’re actually turning up on a weekend and

working throughout the holidays so we operate

a long list of activities throughout the year.

Students at our school and the attending primary

schools are lucky that’s on offer because I know

it’s not the same across all areas.

Is that quite different to the general picture

of things?

NW: Yes. Because we’re what was a sports

college, we’re the lead school that sets the

standards for the secondary schools in our cluster

and the primary schools as well. We’ve taken

a lead and I was actually employed as sport

development manager originally to increase

the provisions of sport.

CD: I think that investment has enabled national

governing bodies of sport to merge with schools

to provide a wider range of opportunities

to young people and not just the direct

opportunities through high quality PE or high

quality out-of-school provision but also the

professional development of teachers to provide

the National Curriculum. That investment has

helped that and obviously been of great benefit

with more people taking part in high quality

sport, more people taking part in after school

sport and making actual addition from school

to community.

What do you think of the government’s

efforts to keep the Olympic buzz going

amongst young people and in schools?

CD: I think there’s quite a lot on offer really. If

you look at what Sport England have got in

terms of their Olympic legacy they’ve got

programmes targeting every market and they’ve

invested significant money into school games

opportunities. They’ve got a network of people

across the country working at a local level and

meeting the needs of schools, they’re bringing

together the local and county festivals and large

school competitions. Also they’ve invested into

volunteers, there’s an Olympic programme where

we’re working with several partners, county

sports partnerships, schools, educational and

community partners to engage and to get them

involved in volunteering and actually employing

within the community to drive up participation.

NW: From a schools point of view, during the

build up to the Olympics there was a real buzz

about the school. We were lucky enough to take

part in unique opportunities. We had students

who were torchbearers in and around Liverpool,

we actually had students who went down to

London for the opening ceremony, our sports day

was themed around the Olympics, and we had

primary festivals. So from our point of view it

feels like we’re battling to keep it, and I think

that’s possibly reflected in the fact it’s taken the

government seven months to say what their next

step in funding is.

GG: Yeah, they kind of withdrew funding and

then they’ve kind of given it back and maybe

in withdrawing that funding they’ve missed

the opportunity and then the gap has occurred

where they’ve thought ‘oh hang on’ but maybe

it’s too late now. There didn’t seem to be plans

to continue that particularly within the schools

sector.

CD: Withdrawing the funding was instantly

replaced with the school games organiser

network, where they’ve effectively sustained the

network we had previously. Now they’re working

very hard to keep that momentum going in terms

of competition. Obviously while that’s been

going on, in the background they’ve gone on to

give them that time to give the investment to do

what’s right for the schools with all the systems

in place but yeah, I do appreciate that.

GG: Obviously I’m not involved at school level

and we only get the overview, and that’s what it

felt like because you’d say ‘what’s happening in

schools’ and they’d say ‘well it’s kind of under

the bed now.’

CD: The main thing is really participation in

terms of competition and leadership,

volunteering leadership. Those were maintained

almost instantly but I suppose from the outside

looking in it wasn’t necessarily at the forefront

of every agenda was it, it took a back seat.

NW: And I think in our school all those things

were happening anyway so it didn’t feel like

anything additional was happening as part of

the legacy because we were already running

leadership schemes with coaches in primary

schools so there’s no difference in that sense.

The government recently announced £150

million a year of funding will go directly to

primary schools to improve sport from an

early age. What are your views on this?

CD: At the county sport partnership for

Merseyside sport, the funding is welcomed, it’s

fantastic news that it’s going into primary

schools and it’s great that it’s going right down

to the local level rather than being distributed

nationally and then filtered down. It’s going

straight to schools and it’s ring-fenced to sport.

What we need to do really is work with our

partners within education across Merseyside to

look at what those local needs are. What are the

needs and the demands in the local communities

and what the pupils want? What do they need

for high quality?

NW: It’s brilliant that we’ve got this ring-fenced

money so it can’t be used for anything else.

My worry is that it depends on the headteacher,

and how they want to spend it. It depends on

their subject knowledge, the staff that are

already in the school and how well educated

they are. The big worry is, will private investors

now take advantage of this by approaching

schools, and what would be the quality and level

that they may be offering? At the moment we

have sports coaches, Liverpool South Central

School Sport Partnership, who go into our

primary schools and deliver so many days a

week. They’re getting lots of different sports and

activity. We’d better use that money probably

through our partnership development manager

to extend the amount of coaches going in there.

“If you look at what SportEngland have got in

terms of their Olympiclegacy they’ve got

programmes targetingevery market and they’ve

invested significantmoney into school

games opportunities.

Calum Donnelly


p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 08:28

GG: From my point of view, the issue boils down

to the knowledge base in the school about

physical education. What’s physical education

and what’s school sport? There’s a huge

difference between the two and peoples’

perception of what they should and shouldn’t

provide and that’s where there’s an issue

because nowadays the rhetoric of the

government is PE and school sport are the same

thing. Many people would argue the very

fundamental difference and that needs

targeting, working with and that’s going to get

lost in this £150m. Give it to school sport but

what do we do with it? I think that’s the real

issue.

CD: It’s like with any investment really,

anywhere, there is an element of risk involved.

But from our point of view we need to work at

a sub-regional level and also within our local

authority level to work with educational partners

to ensure we have quality. Is it just a white van

that turns up and delivers PE and school sport?

How are we going to demonstrate that quality?

For the headteacher, are they involved in sport?

Do they have the knowledge and background

in sport? Who do they turn to, to identify that

quality happening?

NW: Without sounding disrespectful to primary

school teachers, unless they actually play sport

themselves they’re not going to know what high

quality PE is.

GG: If there’s no blame laid at their door, it’s

because they’ve got a lot of other subjects to

learn about as well. They can’t deliver high

quality PE, or only a few of them can, but I don’t

think they’d mind anybody saying that. Maybe

then, and it’s a contentious issue, do you put

£150 million into teaching specialist primary

educators? That’s exactly what I’d do. I wouldn’t

bring coaches in, and that’s no disrespect to

coaches, but my first starting point would be,

let’s put in primary qualified physical educators.

CD: So what you’re saying is that primary

schools almost need a PE teacher themselves?

GG: Yes.

CD: I’ve worked in the past, and this is my

personal view, where schools have had that and

it’s been very effective.

NW: There are key stage two and three teaching

courses but there isn’t anything solely for

primary teaching.

GG: No, there isn’t. I’m working in a primary

school at the moment which has got a stage

two/three transition teacher in there who’s just

stepped in to start teaching year ones and year

twos and she said it’s a whole new ball game.

She’s obviously saying she’s learning all the

time, but with improving the training at

university level or wherever you take it, that

should improve I would imagine.

CD: That’s actually a huge cultural change isn’t

it, to go from where we are now to having a

dedicated PE teacher within schools.

GG: My thoughts are that years and years ago

all children used to go out, play, run around,

and have easy access to those things, which is

changing due to many, many things in society

and it’s not a natural thing that they get as

much of that. So a lot of their ability was

therefore developed there, not in the primary

school and then continued in secondary. We

don’t have that now.

NW: There are good examples across Liverpool

where we have coaches, and I say coaches

again loosely, that have been working with the

schools to form a partnership and the school’s

obviously noticed the effect that’s having and

has now employed them as full time primary

PE teachers, and that’s happened twice with

two different primary schools in our area.

[The funding] works out to about £8,000 for an

average school. An idea would be for schools to

get together and employ somebody to possibly

do two and a half days in each school.

With concerns over childhood obesity going

up, what should schools be doing to ensure

that children get the amount of physical

activity they need from a young age, and is

enough being done already?

NW: If you look at the school sports partnerships

and the divisional pastoral data we saw a

significant increase in students doing two or

more hours. It’s hard for that to continue.

GG: It’s part of the ethos though isn’t it?

You need a head with the ethos to follow that

through, and if that’s the case then it’ll

hopefully continue.

NW: That’s where they’re getting the links with

the secondary school and getting the schools to

see the importance of getting people into clubs

at a young age and hopefully sustaining those

sports through lifelong participation.

CD: My understanding is you can’t obtain

an outstanding Ofsted report without two

hours of PE.

Is it the schools’ place to make sure it is

happening?

GG: Listening at the PE conference last year

there was a debate about A) why are PE

teachers responsible for obesity? Should they

be responsible? I’m not saying they shouldn’t,

I’m just saying these are the debates that were

going on. There are so many other things that

influence it that it’s one of those big strategies

that has to change the same across the board.

The idea of obesity, people say partly it’s

because it’s made worse by the fact that people

don’t engage firmly in physical education.

What’s happening is they’re not achieving the

fundamental movement skills they should be

achieving at set ages so they’re not feeling good

about themselves or perceiving self-confidence

in these. Some people don’t even know what

those skills are and therefore that continues

and develops that obese population and lack

of participation.

CD: And if we don’t provide those fundamental

moving skills and high quality PE and school

sport at an early age then we’ve lost them

for life.

NW: It’s difficult though isn’t it, as to where

the blame needs to be laid because I can think

of various clubs that we host and activities

where the children would fall into that obesity

category but they’re there every day of the week

and in holiday clubs so it’s not the activity

they’re doing. It’s possibly about educating what

they’re eating, and their parents at home.

Educate’s roundtable

“We had students whowere torchbearers in and

around Liverpool, weactually had studentswho went down to

London for the openingceremony, our sports day

was themed aroundthe Olympics.

Natalie Wray


p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 08:28

GG: Absolutely. As I say, there’s so much

involved in it isn’t there? It’s not just one

or two different pieces.

CD: PE and school sport isn’t an answer to

tackling childhood obesity but it’s certainly

a vehicle to help.

How prominent do you think physical

education needs to be within the

curriculum before you take into account

the extra curricular and after school sports?

How much time should be spent doing PE?

NW: We’re all people who enjoy sport and would

have sport played every day. We offer three core

PE lessons to key stage three each week. Not

a lot of schools do offer three. That’s three

50-minute lessons.

GG: Certainly at primary level the whole ethos

of the school, it’s not just about having PE

lessons. It’s having a physicality about the

whole school ethos so, say you’re going from the

classroom to the hall or wherever, saying ‘today

we will hop there, we won’t just walk there’.

And so the whole ethos of the school becomes

physical with little things. That means that

people are actually being physical all day

and I think that is the best way forward.

NW: So sometimes they might not realise

they’re doing physical activity and they’ll be

getting enjoyment from that in a different way.

CD: Again this is a huge culture change but

I think PE, although academically might not suit

the needs of every single head, does need to be

taken as seriously as English and maths

because of the wider learning and the life skills

they can take from that to become better

citizens, and obviously the benefits to education

by allowing them that hour of physical activity

and sport so they are now channeling that

energy and that really acts as an outlet on a

daily basis.

GG: Well the concept of physical literacy isn’t

just about being good at sport, but it’s about

wanting to get out and go for a walk or get on

your bike. It’s that whole movement for life. That

ethos could start at school because they

wouldn’t even know they were doing it, they

would just do more movement than they would

have done last year.

So that’s the ideal but what’s the reality?

NW: In reality headteachers with the

ring-fenced money and with joined up thinking,

could change the curriculum together couldn’t

they? They probably won’t but they could.

GG: Quite easily, they certainly could. You got

community schools years ago that were of very

community orientated perspectives and they

did quite well and that was based on the head

teacher saying ‘this is how I want my school,

the same as yours is’. It just needs a couple of

headteachers in the same area to say look,

‘do you see how we want to do this, what do

you think?’, and why not?

“The concept of physicalliteracy isn’t just aboutbeing good at sport,

but it’s about wantingto get out and go fora walk or get on yourbike. It’s that wholemovement for life.

Gillian GriffithsRestaurant

Olive Restaurant & Bar

25-27 Castle Street, Liverpool

Good for:

Relaxed atmosphere ideal

for families or working lunches.

Prices:

Pizza, pasta and salads

from around £5.50 to £9.95,

with mains ranging from £12.95

up to £24.95 for a 10oz fillet steak.

To book a tablecall 0151 227 2242


p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 08:28


Secondary News

College a step closerNew build given the green light The green light has been given toArchbishop Beck Sports College tobuild a new £17m energy efficientschool in Liverpool.

The scheme is part of the Mayor’sInvestment Plan for Secondary Schools,devised as a rescue package following thescrapping of wave six of Liverpool’sBuilding Schools for the Future (BSF)project.

The school will be built on the formerLong Lane council depot in Fazakerley,which has better access and is less,constrained than the existing site inWalton.

It will be environmentally friendly, witha solar panelled roof to generateelectricity, and will also feature basketballcourts, a theatre and recording and dancestudios.

Mayor Joe Anderson said: “This isanother significant step in mycommitment to deliver 12 new schools foryoung people in Liverpool.

“A child only gets one education, and itis absolutely crucial that we make sure wegive our young people the best possiblestart in life.

“Improving schools is a priority and Iam determined that we also make surethe construction project benefits localfirms as well, so we maximise the benefitsto the city.”

Work will start in the summer and theschool is set to be completed in time forSeptember 2014.

Assistant headteacher Bruce Hickssaid: “We are absolutely delighted, as thisschool will offer a 21st century education

for the whole community.“We have held detailed discussions

with the whole community, includingparents and pupils whose opinions wehave sought and acted upon in terms ofthe design.”

As part of the Investment Plan forSecondary Schools, work is already wellunderway on Notre Dame Catholic Collegein Everton, which is set to open inSeptember 2013.

The new look Archbishop Beck Sports College

Legend visits pupils A world-class BMX and skateboarder visited pupils at aHuyton school recently to inspire them and teach themlife skills.

Former British and European skateboarding champion NeilDanns, from Toxteth, held special assemblies at Huyton Artsand Sports Centre for Learning, as well as skateboarding masterclasses with pupils at the ‘OurPlace’ youth facility in Huyton.

The visit was part of Sky Sports’ Living for Sport projectwhich uses sport stars and sport skills to inspire and improvethe lives of thousands of young people.

A group of pupils from Longview Community Primary Schoolwere also invited to the sessions.

Neil coached the students in key life skills such asconfidence, people skills and mental toughness. He alsohighlighted the importance of aspiration and setting personalgoals.

Neil said: “Skateboarding helped me to focus on the positiveaspects of my life and gave me the motivation to be the best Icould be. Through the Living for Sport project, I hope to inspireothers to do the same.

“Negative influences are all around us and it is easy to letthese take your life in a direction you don’t want to go. Throughsport, young people can meet new friends, learn respect forthemselves and others and rise above the challenges that lifecan present”.

Principal of Huyton Arts and Sports Centre for Learning,Stuart Jamieson, said: “It has been a great opportunity for ourstudents to meet such an inspirational sporting figure and wehope they will use this to fuel their confidence and aspirationand achieve their full potential”.

Living for Sport is a free UK secondary schools initiative,delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, which usessport stars and sport skills to boost confidence, changebehaviour, increase attainment and improve life skills.

Neil Danns with students from Huyton Arts and SportsCentre for Learning

p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 08:28

p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 16:48


Secondary News

BroadgreenHealthAmbassadors

Broadgreen International School inpartnership with Alder Hey Children’sNHS Foundation Trust have beenworking together since September 2012to develop a Health Ambassadorsproject for sixth form students.

The project is part of Alder Hey’scommitment to public health across thecommunity.

Year 12 students from BroadgreenInternational School have chosen publichealth priorities which they have an interestin and have supported the Schools’ HealthDay by delivering key public healthmessages to Year 8 pupils in a fun andinteractive way.

This event seen over 200 students takepart and learn about a variety of publichealth concerns.

With wonderful support from Liz Grady,health promotion practitioner at Alder Hey,students have developed their ownresources and materials which areappropriate for their particular age group.They then delivered the sessions.

Liz Grady Health promotion practitionersaid: “The students have worked extremelyhard to develop age appropriate materialand resources for each of their chosen topic.They remained professional at all times andengaged with the students well.

“The session was well planned by thestudents and a lot of thought has been putinto this project. I am extremely proud ofall the health ambassadors and have seenthem develop their own skills while takingpart in this project. I look forward toworking with them in the future andpromoting health to our community”.

All Saints, Jaguar andthe Prince of Wales!All Saints Catholic Centre for Learning, Kirkby have been working inpartnership with Jaguar Landrover to provide experience, trainingopportunities and apprenticeships.

Jaguar approached All Saints as they believed that the school’s ethos and valuestogether with the school’s drive to work with leading companies reflected Jaguar’sown philosophy.

Earlier this year thirty Year 11 students attended a conference at Jaguar’sHalewood education centre where they met the Prince of Wales. Prince Charles waskeen to speak with students about their engineering ambitions.

Head girl, Elizabeth Murphy, presented the Prince with a framed copy of AllSaints famous mural. He was keen to know more about the symbols and icons inthe artwork and its importance. Perhaps it is already hanging in BuckinghamPalace!

Mr Bradley, principal of All Saints, said: “Established links with Jaguar Landroverwill provide excellent opportunities for students over the coming years”.

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Recently the Creative ArtsFaculty at Childwall SportsAcademy staged ‘Little Shop ofHorrors’. This was the first timefor some years that the facultyhad produced a musical and theresults were quite outstanding.

The performances were stagedbefore large and appreciative groupsof governors, parents, friends andstudents of the school. KieranHoare, Julia Manley, Nick Mullin,Tom McIntyre, Lucy Treadell, JennyAnderson and Emily Laing playedsome of the key roles. Theperformances resulted in a standingovation from the audience who werefully appreciative of the outstandingtalents of the young people of Childwall Sports and Science Academy.

Principal, Dewi Phillips, said: “My warmest congratulations go to the entirecast and members of the Creative Arts Faculty for outstanding work in staging‘Little Shop of Horrors’.

“Enormous amounts of work went in to producing such high qualityperformances and for those who were in the audience were privileged to see thetalents of so many staff and students at Childwall Sports and Science Academy.”

p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 08:32


ASK KSAWe deliver Nationally recognisedqualifications (QCF) some ofwhich include Uniformed PublicServices, Sport & Fitness,Health & Safety, Security and First Aid

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A warm welcome awaitsall parents and pupils who

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p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 08:32


Secondary News

Young StarshipEnterprise ChallengeGrowing for the community

Friday 1st March proved to be a verysuccessful day for a group ofbusiness-minded Year 8 pupils fromSt Ambrose Barlow Catholic HighSchool.

The group took part in the YoungStarship Enterprise Challenge, acompetition aimed at encouraging youngpeople to develop ideas for a newbusiness.

The team proposed the development ofa community market garden called the‘veg patch’ within the school grounds,offering a wide variety of fruit and veg.The aim of the project is to produceethically grown and environmentallysustainable produce which is easy on theearth with virtually no food miles totravel. What’s more, it is hoped that thegarden will be used to assist a morecreative approach to the curriculumwithin the school. If that’s not enough,

the group wants to open up the use ofthe ‘veg patch’ to the local community,by inviting local primary schools to plant,nurture and harvest the home-growngreens.

The competition is run by the ‘AirportGroup’, a partnership of 14 housingassociations across the North West andPennine regions. The Sefton regional finaltook place at Atlantic House, home toOne Vision Housing who made the groupfeel extremely welcome and helped calmlast-minute nerves.

After some tough questioning from theDragons’ Den style panel of local businessleaders – and an anxious wait - StAmbrose Barlow were announced as theregional winners.

The students will be hoping to recreatetheir success at the national final whichwill take place at Old Trafford,Manchester in the coming months.

Year 8 pupils with staff from One Vision Housing

Archbishop Blanch School Year 13 student, LouiseTaylor, was celebrating after winning an amazing£1000 as she took first prize in the Art in the Citycxhibition which was held at the Metquarter,Liverpool

Louise, her family and head of art at Archbishop Blanch,Mrs Cook, attended the awards presentation where Louisewas presented with her cheque.

The exhibition raised funds for the Prince's Trust and theprize was donated by Cammell Laird who will now displayLouise's painting in their offices. Right: Louise Taylor with her winning piece ofartwork

MERSEYSIDECHAMPIONS

Merchant Taylor U14 badmintonteam have been crownedMerseyside County Championsafter beating Rainford High in thefinal of county heat of the NationalU14 Schools BadmintonChampionships earlier this month.

The team includes Rachel Softley,Molly Goldberg and Emily Goldbergfrom Year 8, and Lizzie Tolman fromYear 9.

All four girls excel in competitivesport, and in addition to playing hockeyand netball during the winter seasonLiz is ranked as the No 3 badmintonplayer in England, Rachel playsbadminton for Lancashire and Mollyand Emily are excellent tennis playersand naturally talented at racquet sports,despite having only played badmintonfor a short while.

Lizzie and Rachel both come fromstrong badminton backgrounds (withboth sets of parents meeting on thecourt in fact!) and train hard severaltimes a week.

Miss E. Jones, Head of P.E, said: “Theteam have only been playing togethersince the start of the school year, buttheir hard work and commitment to thesport means that they have quicklylearned to compete together and form astrong, dynamic team”.

The victorious U14 badminton team

Picture this

p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 08:32

100% pass

rate for pupils

Be part of THE remarkable success story...St. Ambrose Barlow CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL is one OF the best performing schools in the UK.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to prospective new students and their parents to visit our school.Please call 0151 526 7044 to make an appointment

• 88% pass rate in 2012 (Highest performing school in south Sefton)• Small class sizes, giving great teacher/pupil ratios• Fantastic facilities, including state-of-the-art IT equipment• Subjects taught in ability sets• Caring, dedicated staff devoted to maximising the potential of every child• Happy, creative, inspirational atmosphere

Limited space available in some year groups

p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 08:32


Secondary News

Philosophical dancersStudents inspired by Martin Luther King JuniorDance students from Formby HighSchool will be gracing the nationalstage after being inspired by thephilosophy of Martin Luther KingJunior.

The school’s sixth form dancecompany, Eleven, has been selected totake part in the prestigious U.Dance 2013National Platform.

The event, which takes place in Leedsfrom July 18-21, will see them perform

alongside the best dance groups from allover the UK.

Eleven performed a captivatingmovement, Silence is Betrayal, whichwas inspired by the Martin Luther KingJr quote ‘If the body is restricted, themind is not free’, taken from his 1967speech condemning the Vietnam War.

Yellow fabric throughout theperformance to represent the restrictionof the body and the fight against

injustice connected the dancers.Dance teacher Victoria Harrocks said:

“Silence is Betrayal took more than fourmonths to create. I am extremely proudto have been part of the process inmaking it and Eleven are an inspirationto work with.

“Their enthusiasm, determination andhard work have produced a high qualitypiece of work and I am delighted it hasbeen awarded this recognition.”

The award winning ‘Eleven’ students from Formby High School

Mayor see’sBosco in 3DMayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson recentlypaid a visit to St John Bosco Arts College,Croxteth were he toured the building andsaw some lessons in action.

A highlight of the tour was in the sciencedepartment, Year 8 students who were looking atthe spread of diseases and cells, students sharedwith the mayor an experiment they had completedshowing the spread of disease and were then keento look at cells together on a new piece ofequipment called a Gaia 3D Viewer. This enablesstudents to look at a range of pictures in 3D.

Mr Anderson and the students looked atdifferent diagrams and pictures, helping to showexamples of what they had been learning. Theequipment helps to bring the curriculum to life.

Right: Joe Anderton, Mayor of Liverpooljoins pupils at St John Bosco Arts Colege

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Secondary News

Positiveimpacts There is no doubt that the fortnightly, ‘re-designinglearning’ workshops are having an impact atCalderstones School, Liverpool’s.

At the first ever, ‘Teach Meet’, three of Calderstones’ teachers,head of English, Dr Aisling Cowan; MFL teacher and newnumeracy co-ordinator Lauren Murphy; and literacy co-ordinator Lucy Duffy took to the stage to promote and shareinnovative ideas and approaches to getting the best out of everystudent.

Dr Cowan, said: “Presenting alongside my colleagues at theteach meet was a fantastic opportunity to share the innovativepractice which is happening in our classrooms at Calderstoneswith schools across Merseyside.

“The enthusiastic and extremely positive feedback wereceived from other teachers, as well as the great ideas fromfellow contributors, made this an extremely useful and inspiringcollaboration which we are keen to keep going!”

Miss Murphy’s presentation using Tarsia (to make tasksdesigned to encourage discussion of language links andpromote collaborative working) and, ‘concept mapping’, wasalso warmly acknowledged by the audience includingMerseyside based independent trainer, David McDermott.

The final presentation, from Mrs Duffy detailed the conceptof, ‘boxing to argue’ an active writing framework devised to

engage boys with discursive writing. This strategy has provedvery successful at Calderstones and is now being trialled inschools across the country.

The, ‘re-designing learning’ workshops form part of deputyheadteacher, Lee Ratcliffe’s 2020 vision for teaching andlearning at Calderstones School. Staff are actively encouragedto sign up to present and share their ideas in 30 minutesessions which have so far included, ‘moving from good tooutstanding’; ‘utilizing bloom’s taxonomy’; and, mostimportantly in the run up to the #Teachmeet, ‘using twitter asan educational / CPD tool'.

A running commentary for the day, hosted by St Julie’s canbe found on Twitter using the #TMLpool hashtag. CalderstonesSchool hope to host #TMnorthwest in early September 2013.#Watchthisspace!

Students get ticket to ride!School joins forces and goes green Bellerive FCJ Catholic Collegelaunched a range of new busservices on Friday 26 April, inpartnership with The Green Bus, aspecialist school transport company.

The initiative was based on the resultsof a transport survey conducted in theautumn term in which parentsoverwhelmingly voted in favour ofseamless cross-city transport links beingset up. The routes have been carefullychosen based on where learners live andtravel to the school from each day

Bellerive FCJ is the first school in thenorth of England to work with The GreenBus, which specialises in schooltransport and currently operates inBirmingham, Berkshire and Surrey.

Paul Taylor, assistant headteacher atBellerive said: “We wanted to offer ourpupils a safe, reliable service whichoperates in an environmentallyconscious way. Some of our pupils willsave up to an hour of travelling each daywhile others will no longer have to relyon their parents driving them here so thebenefits are substantial.

“We have made a commitment to thisinitiative for these reasons and will besubsidising the cost of the annual ticket

for our pupils.” Ian Mack, managing director of The

Green Bus added: “Bellerive is anexcellent school, pupils travel from allover the city to attend it, which makes itideal as our first school in the region. Iam certain that our partnership willmean that many pupils have a mucheasier journey to school in the future.

“We are delighted to be working with

Merseyside operator Peoplesbus on thisproject and we hope it’s the first of manynew services and routes.”

The services will operate daily fromnext September onwards and have thebacking of Louise Ellman, MP forRiverside and chairwoman of theTransport Select Committee.

She visited the school in Sefton Parkto help launch the new service.

Louise Ellman helps launch Bellerive’s Green Bus

MFL teacher andnumeracy co-ordinatorLauren Murphy

p25-40_covers 03/05/2013 08:32

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Windermere TerraceSefton ParkLiverpool L8 3SB

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Specialisms in the Sciences, Applied Learning

and Maths & Computing

”

“Bellerive Open Evenings��

�� Tuesday 9th July &

Tuesday 1st October��

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� �� !��! ��A taster day will also be held on 24th June: To apply email [email protected]

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‘personal and academic excellence.’"# ��$�� %�� &�'&(

Behaviour in classes and around the schoolbuilding is first rate.

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p41-50_covers 03/05/2013 08:34


Secondary News

Saudi boundLiverpool school opens campus in Middle East ONE of the best known names inLiverpool education is looking eastby opening a school in the UnitedArab Emirates.

Belvedere Schools Ltd, a collaborationbetween Belvedere Preparatory Schooland Belvedere Academy in Toxteth haspartnered with the Al Fahim group, oneof the largest conglomerates in theregion, to establish the Belvedere BritishSchool in Abu Dhabi, which has openedits doors with 450 pupils.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, inthe city on business before speaking atthe World Chambers Congress in nearbyQatar, visited to open officially the newcampus.

He was joined by Sheikh AbdullahJalil Al Fahim, director of Al Fahim groupand His Highness Sheikh Nahyan AlMubarak Al Nayhan, Minister of Culture,Youth and Social Development, alongwith Dominic Jermey, the BritishAmbassador to the UAE.

Mayor Anderson said: “As one of ourmost well known schools I am delightedto support Belvedere’s ambition increating strong internationalpartnerships in Liverpool’s name.

“In Liverpool, the school has areputation for high quality teaching andturning out young people who are readyto take on the world and Belvedere canbecome a beacon of excellence here inAbu Dhabi.”

Richard Mathias, chief executive ofBelvedere Schools Ltd, said: “It has beena three-year project to take this fromconcept to reality. We are delighted tohave had the support of Mayor Andersonin officially opening the school and wethank him for the efforts he has made insupporting a Liverpool business reachingout internationally. We hope that this isthe first of several such initiatives.”

While in the city, Mayor Anderson also

had meetings with His Excellency Jasemal Darmaki, Deputy Director General AbuDhabi Tourism and Culture Authority;Sheikh Sultan, Minister of Tourism; andthe Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce.He invited them to participate in theInternational Festival for Business GlobalLeaders summit in Liverpool next year.

Costs of the trip were met byBelvedere Schools Ltd's partners in AbuDhabi, The Al Fahim Group.

From left to right: Dr Dhiya Al-Jumeily, Mayor Joe Anderson, His HighnessSheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak Al Nayhan, Sheikh Abdulla Abdul Jaili AlFahim and Dominic Jermey - British Ambassador to UAE

A RUNAWAY SUCCESSThe innovative volunteering schemeat St Margaret’s CE Academycontinues to gain momentum withstudents and members of staffparticipating in raising funds forvarious projects for both the school,and its charities – Vision for Children(Alder Hey) and the Congo Project.

In March some of the sixth formers, Year11s and staff braved the sub-zerotemperatures to run the Liverpool halfmarathon in aid of charity.

Year 10 students also volunteered tohelp distribute water to the runners at thenine mile and 12 mile water stations.

A number of students also workedtirelessly packing bags at a localsupermarket.

The boys attracted a wealth ofcomments from the public about howpolite, helpful, respectful and hardworkingthey are, just the attributes they need forlife in the world today. Pupils help to keep runners hydrated at the Liverpool half marathon

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Secondary News

Students put down roots Pupils mark opening of new academy Enterprise South Liverpool Academy(ESLA) moved onto its amazing 8.5acre learning park recently.

With the help of 60 children from threenearby primary schools – Garston Churchof England Primary School, St CleopasChurch of England Primary School andSt Charles’ Catholic Primary School –ESLA students have recently plantedhundreds of saplings donated by theWoodland Trust.

580 Cherry, birch rowan and hawthorntrees and some prized royal oaks whichwere grown from acorns taken from theQueen’s estates now line the perimeter ofthe site. The trees, which are native tothe UK, will form a flourishing woodlandwithin 10 years.

Academy chaplain Rev AndrewColmer, who organised the tree planting,said: “We are planting trees for thecurrent generation but also futuregenerations. It will be fantastic for thestudents to watch the trees grow in theyears and decades ahead. Theysymbolise sustainability and investing inthe future, which is what we are doingwith the young people who come toESLA.”

The learning park already has 50mature trees, and there is a strongoutdoor focus in the curriculum at ESLA,

in time there will be a forest classroomalongside an apiary, a horticulture farmand apothecary garden.

A Marvel-lous workshopTo celebrate World Book Day, GateacreSchool invited former editor of MarvelComics Tim Quinn, to hold workshopsfor students of all year groups in a briefhistory of comic books, illustrationtechniques, and teaching students tocreating their own comic characters.

Starting his career as a ringboy/clown atBlackpool Tower Circus Tim then leaptback in time to work on BBC TV’s Good OldDays music hall series where he startedwriting scripts for top comedians.

It was a small jump into the world ofcomic books where he spent many happyyears as scriptwriter, illustrator and editoron such noted titles as The Beano, TheDandy, Sparky, The Topper, Buster,Whoopee!, Bunty, Jackie, Dr WhoMagazine, and Whizzer & Chips beforeheading stateside to work for the mightyMarvel Comics Group on the world famousSpider-Man, X-Men and the IncredibleHulk.

The students had an incredible daycreating their own superheroes as well asbeing able to see original comic bookartwork and learning not only theimportance of a good drawing, but also agreat story!

Students check out the artwork of editor and artist Tim Quinn on his visitto Gateacre School

ESLA learners and pupils from nearby primary schools hard at workplanting the new trees.

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Secondary News

Notre Dame Catholic College and StJulie’s Catholic High School havebeen celebrating the anniversary ofthe Notre Dame community coming toLiverpool by holding their annualFoundation Day.

This year, the performing artsdepartment at Notre Dame CatholicCollege organised the day with a focus onthe long-standing link that the NotreDame order has with education.

Both schools gathered at the chapel inHope University for a day of festivitiesthat included dance, community singingand a musical interlude.

In 1851, 162 years ago, Father Nugentinvited four sisters of the Notre Dameorder to the city and charged them withhelping to educate the poor girls of thecity. This was to become the foundationof the two schools we know today, andtwo years ago the decision was made tocelebrate the anniversary with an annualevent co-ordinated by each of the schoolsin turn.

Headteachers Mr Anderson and MrsHarrison were in attendance along withgovernors, form teachers, pupils and

representatives from the Notre Dameorder.

The day has been widely hailed as a

success by all involved, and theparticipants are looking forward to takingpart again next year.

Better togetherSchools come together for Foundation Day

Mission into the FuturePupils and staff from Holly Lodge Girls’ College and ten internationalpartner schools recently took part in a three day event as part of amultinational schools’ event.

The event involving 11 European countries, started at Holly Lodge wherestudents engaged in ice breaking activities designed by their Gold Duke ofEdinburgh girls, which invloved the art department where Mr Graham, artsteacher, and students built kites from recycled materials.

The pupils then descended on Crosby lakeside were there was a greatspectacle as the students flew 50 of their hand built kites on the beach.

Mrs Graham said: “Some of them broke free and disappeared it was thatwindy!! So if anyone finds a handmade kite on the beach please return it toHolly Lodge and they can reunite it with its owner!!!!.

“The schools concluded their events at Crosby Lakeside, where studentspresented their own countries’ perspective on renewables. It was veryinteresting for pupils to see that some countries don’t have electricity insome areas! It was also interesting to see that renewables have a muchgreater place in some countries than others!

Author visits winners

Christ The King High School, Southportrecently held their inaugural ‘500 words’ shortstory competition. The competition, open to allpupils aged 11-14, offered the chance to writea story fit for a genre of their choice.

Andy Briggs, the author of Tarzan: The GreystokeLegacy chose the winner from a shortlist of 10pupils. Margaret Chandler in Year 9 won Andy andthe judges over with her excellent story Cross Over.Rebecca Ritchie (Year 7) and Anastasia Couzens(Year 9) finished second and third respectively. AndyBriggs presented prizes to pupils during a visit tothe school recently.

The entries received over the course of the sixweeks raised money for Queenscourt Hospicewhilst also highlighting the outstanding writingtalent throughout the school at CTK. The stories areavailable to access on the school’s website.

Headteacher, Mr Lancaster said: “Christ the Kingwould like to thank Tony of Formby Books for all hishard work”.

Headteachers Mrs Harrison and Mr Anderson with pupils from both schoolswith a stained glass window to mark their aniversary of the Notre Damecommunity

Author, Andy Briggs with some of thewinning storytellers

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p41-50_covers 03/05/2013 08:35

noun

verb

Prefix

READ

Social media

punctuation Spell

vocabulary

writtenSpoken

Grammatically [gruh-mat-i-kuh ll-ee]

[spee-king]Speaking

Grammar in schools


p41-50_covers 03/05/2013 08:35

As the government introduces a new grammar test for

primary school pupils, we take a look at whether we really

have fell behind when it comes to grammar skills and if so, why?

As of this summer all year six pupils

will have to sit a new English test as part

of their SATs. The new spelling, punctuation and

grammar test (or SPAG for short) replaces the old

English writing test as the government attempts

to ensure all primary school children leave school

“with a sound grasp of essential English skills”.

The new test will focus heavily on grammar

skills, examining punctuation, spelling and

vocabulary. A good grasp of how the English

language works, including an understanding

of the key terms such as noun, verb and prefix,

will also be required.

The introduction of the new test is a move

that has split opinion. While few would argue

against the importance of grammar there is

some debate as to whether a test solely focused

on it is the right way forward.

Indeed, at the recent National Union of

Teachers conference, held at the ACC Liverpool

last month, teachers threatened to boycott the

new primary test, labelling it “meaningless”.

“The hoops that young children will have

to jump through will leave many children feeling

a failure,” said general secretary of the NUT

Christine Blower. “For those pupils who can take

it in their stride, their experience of school and

learning will be a much diminished one.

“Primary school teachers are desperately

concerned about what the school day will come

to mean for their pupils. The proposed Primary

Curriculum will set education back generations.

We need to ensure that children are given a love

of learning, reading, writing and maths but this

is not the right way to go about it.”

Colette Ankers de Salis, senior lecturer in

primary education at Liverpool John Moores

University agrees.

“In my opinion, the ability to be able to

communicate clearly and well in both the written

and spoken form is of high importance – it is no

coincidence that our prisons are full of illiterate

and semi-literate people,” she says. “Grammar

lies at the heart of this, particularly with writing

as the writer has to communicate with a

‘removed’ reader.

“But if grammar ‘lies at the heart of

something’ it implies it is part of something

bigger. So while I would agree with it being

in the ‘marking system of SATS’, I do not agree

with it being removed and tested in isolation

away from a piece of writing. This would be

like ‘testing’ David Beckham on his ability to

perform individual training exercises when

the real test is how well he can apply his

skills in the context of a game. So yes, mark

grammar as part of the writing tests but not

as a SPAG test.”

The Department of Education believes

targeting children early (whilst still in primary

school) can combat the problem of poor grammar

in the future.

We need to ensure

that childrenare given a love oflearning,reading,writing

and maths

“

”


p41-50_covers 03/05/2013 08:35

Indeed, Colette says in her experience many

students have a poor grasp of grammar.

“This can range from a lack of understanding

of what a sentence is to writing ‘paragraphs’

that consist of a series of unrelated sentences,”

she says.

While the government aims to address this

with earlier testing, there are some studies

which claim falling standards in grammar are

not a result of lack of teaching/education but

rather the increased use of 'tech speak'.

Tech speak involves using shortcuts and

acronyms when sending text messages or using

social media. According to recent figures, in the

UK 15 million text messages are sent from our

mobile phones every minute and one group of

researchers believes this is having a detrimental

effect on students' grammar skills.

The study, undertaken by researcher Drew

Cingel of Penn State University, found there

is evidence of a decline in grammar scores

based on the number of adaptations in sent text

messages. According to the study, those who

sent or received the most text messages

performed the worst in the test.

These findings have been disputed however

by a recent study of primary and secondary

school children by researchers at Coventry

University. The study found no evidence of any

detrimental relationships between use of texting

slang and children’s conventional literacy

abilities.

Lead author Dr Clare Wood, professor of

psychology in education at Coventry University,

says: “Our work examined children who used

mobile phones and assessed them over the

course of an academic year in one study, and

over just 10 weeks in another.

“We found that not only was there no evidence

of a negative association between literacy skills

and the tendency to use texting slang or

abbreviations when using SMS, in fact it seemed

to be adding value to the children’s conventional

spelling abilities, because of the highly phonetic

nature of the text abbreviations which are most

commonly used.

“They seem to enable children to rehearse

their understanding of how speech sounds map

onto printed characters in a way that benefits

their normal literacy development.”

LJMU's Colette Ankers de Salis says the key

is for students to recognise when it is acceptable

to use slang or tech speak and when it isn't.

In other words, it's about knowing your audience.

"One issue seems to be a lack of

understanding of purpose and audience," she

says. "I do not see texting or social media as a

problem; it is an example of how language and

communication evolves. What I have a problem

with is people not knowing or understanding

when, where and with whom ‘text-talk’ is

appropriate and/or effective.”

Tech speak aside, with SPAG tests set to

become a reality this summer, what can be done

to improve grammar skills in school children?

It is, according to Colette, a huge question.

“One way could be to look more closely at

purpose and audience with young people and

through this, develop more comprehensively

an understanding of grammar,” she says.

Grammar in schools

They seem to enable

children torehearse theirunderstandingof how speech

sounds map onto printedcharacters

in a way thatbenefits their

normal literacydevelopment

“

”

How parentscan helpimprovegrammar

at home

Settests

The SPAG test will form two parts. The first looks

at constructing sentencescorrectly, capitalising words and using the

correct punctuation. Thesecond is a spelling test.

Set mock tests for your childat home to help them becomemore familiar with the tests.

Encourage letter writingThey say it’s a dying art

but letter writing is hugelybeneficial in developingchildren’s writing skills.Encourage your children

to write to friends andrelatives and develop their

understanding of the Englishlanguage by having theminclude adjectives, verbs

etc in their writing.

Read withyour childReading can help

children to gain a betterunderstanding of grammar

and a wider vocabulary. Read a range of different

materials and genres with them regularly.

1 2 3


p41-50_covers 03/05/2013 08:35

HILLSIDE HIGH SCHOOLExcellence in the Heart of the Community

OPEN EVENINGTHURSDAY 3rd OCTOBER 6.45pm

Contact the school for further detailsHillside High School, Science and Language College

Breeze Hill, Bootle L20 9NU

0151 525 2630www.hillsidehigh.co.uk

‘Hillside High is an outstanding school’ - Ofsted 2007


p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 08:38


Meet the Headteacher Stuart Jamieson, Huyton Arts and Sports Centre for Learning

‘Learners today, leaders tomorrow’ is a motto that is embeddedin the day to day life at Huyton Arts and Sports Centre forLearning. It’s a saying that encapsulates the school’s aim to notonly guide pupils to success in their education, but to also putthem on the right track to being the best in their field in the fu-ture.

by Natasha Young

This ethos is down to principal StuartJamieson, who is certainly leading byexample after carving out his ownambitions to become a leader andeventually realising his dream.

“I began my career in education in1988 when I was in a school inHumberside in inner-city Hull. Then eightyears following that I was at what is nowChrist the King in Knowsley and I washead of performing arts there,” saysStuart. “I knew quite early on in mycareer that I wanted to be a headteacheror principal and it was my hope that oneday I could return to Knowsley.

Obviously I haven’t come to Christ theKing but to just a mile away at HuytonArts and Sports and it’s interestingbecause some of the children I taught allthose years ago have got children of theirown now who actually come here.”

Huyton Arts and Sports Centre forLearning opened in 2009, bringingtogether the majority of staff and pupils

from Bowring Sports College andKnowsley Hey Arts College. Stuart thentook the helm around two years ago andbelieves that being a principal is a“natural progression” for him.

“The background that I’ve got in arts isnatural to a lot of the enjoyment aspectsin education but then as I moved, to adegree, outside of the classroom I sawthe influence that I could have ontraining in general and raisingstandards,” he explains.

Stuart’s key focus of leadership anddriving up standards within the school isapparent amongst pupils and staff as hesays: “You can say it can’t you butleadership also spells the words ‘idlephrase’ if you take those lettersseparately, and it’s about making sure theleadership is about the young peopledoing things that make a difference tothemselves and others. I think whatwe’re trying to do is give them the voiceand the example so that they don’t justsay it but they turn up and do it as well.”

He is also working in partnership with

The Dean Trust, an academy trust whichleads programmes aimed and schoolsand teachers aspiring to be outstanding.

Continuing with his strong sense ofambition and vision for the future, headds: “My key aim is to get this school tobe outstanding, and on a career level Iwant to see as many people alongside mego on to get their own headships and goon to be the best in their field.”

Despite a relatively short time at thetop at Huyton Arts and Sports Centre forLearning, it would seem much progresshas already been made when it comes toinstilling the idea leadership amongstyoung people, and Stuart says: “We’veintroduced the ROSS Programme, whichis respecting others, self and schools.

They go out and work in variousprimary schools and look at what beingrespectful of the self and school means,about how they relate to one another,about what’s acceptable and having thattrust amongst each other really. We alsohave things such as a student passportwhereby they’ve got to participate in at

Culture eatsstrategy

p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 11:18


least 100 hours of activity from reading inassembly to supporting others in youthleadership sessions.

“The other thing would be developingan independent study culture and havingstudents being proud to stay and comealong before, during and after school orweekends and holidays, to want to studyand take responsibility for their owndestiny. Most weekends there are youngpeople in doing extra study and I thinkthat will translate into results,particularly this summer.

“One of my mantras is that cultureeats strategy for breakfast because youcan have all the strategies in the worldbut it’s about building that culture ofdaily habits and consistency ofchallenging with performance.”

Under Stuart’s reign the school hasalso worked to create stronger links withparents by hosting events, a ‘monthlymatters group’ with seminars, and aweekly newsletter. Meanwhileconnecting with the business communityis aiming to help young people feel more

positive about the world of work, andinspirational people have also madevisits to the school to inspire pupils toaim high.

“We had Steven Gerrard in lastsummer when he came and opened hissoccer foundation for a week and hewanted to come back to his roots inHuyton. Then we had Neil Danns, the

Olympic skateboarder, in recently,” saysStuart. “When you spread the culture forsomeone who’s like Steven Gerrard, likeNeil Danns, who’s just come fromnowhere but dedicated their life to beingthe best in their field it opens up the artof possibility, but actually it lets youngpeople know there’s no tricks other thandedicated hard work, practice andconsistency.”

Most weekendsthere are young

people in doing extrastudy and I thinkthat will translate

into results

“

”

p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 11:18


Local Education News

Culture Minister visits Liverpool hubEd Vaizey MP meets students at Resonate Music Education Hub

Young people at Resonate Music Education Hub, fundedthrough Arts Council England, were joined by minister forculture, communications and creative industries Ed Vaizeyrecently for a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities and anopportunity to discuss how music education has impactedon the lives of Liverpool’s pupils.

Ed Vaizey MP was instrumental in the recently publishedGovernment’s National Plan for Music Education, the drivingfactor behind Resonate’s new hub status and funding to providemusic education to every child in Liverpool.

“It is an honour to welcome Ed to Resonate and introduce himto the children and young people benefiting from this wonderfulresource for the city,” said Mr Jonathan Dickson, head of serviceat Resonate Music Education Hub. “We have big ambitions forthe future of music education in Liverpool: if every child islearning an instrument this will create lots of bands, groups,choirs and concerts. It also means that our pool of young musicaltalent will expand, and we know that Liverpool has a legacy ofproducing world-leading talent in music.”

During his visit, Ed Vaizey MP met and performed with theResonate singers, a junior vocal group, rocked out with studentsin Resonate’s rock pod and took part in a roundtable discussionwith a group of children along with representatives fromResonate, Notre Dame Catholic College and LiverpoolPhilharmonic’s In Harmony.

Culture minister Ed Vaizey said: “A high-quality musiceducation can make a hugely beneficial contribution to the lives

of young people. It is often a source of regret for adults that theydidn’t learn a musical instrument when they were at school; nowevery child will have the opportunity to develop this life-enhancing skill. Not only will this give them great pleasure, but itwill help provide our fantastic creative industries with the nextgeneration of talent, which is why government is investing morethan £171 million of funding up to March 2015 in a network ofmusic education hubs across England.”

Ed Vaizey MP with Resonate ‘Rock Pod’ student

Students cook up a stormCommittee members from ChristChurch Community Centre in Bootlevisited Hugh Baird College recentlyto take part in a Chinese cookerylesson delivered by migrant womenfrom the college’s integrationprogramme.

The participants, who are part of thecollege’s English for speakers of otherlanguages (ESOL) department, spent themorning showing how a range of Chinesedishes are created, from preparationthrough to cooking – and, of course,sampling the food too!

Following on from the cookery lesson,

the visitors from the centre took part in aChinese calligraphy class with HughBaird College’s lecturer and local artist,Jane Adams.

Betty Simmons, a committee memberat Christ Church community centre,enjoyed taking part in the cookery class.She said: “I’ve found the lesson veryinteresting and have learnt lots of newthings. The food that’s being made alllooks lovely. The amount of preparationwork is very time consuming – I’m notsure if I’d have time to do it myself athome, but I’d certainly give one of thesmaller dishes a try.”

A nursery school in NorthLiverpool has been selected foran important new role aimed atfurther raising standards.

Everton Nursery School andFamily Centre, along with its fourpartner primary schools (All SaintsCatholic Primary School andAnfield Children’s Centre, BarlowsPrimary School and Fazakerley andCroxteth Children’s Centres, OurLady Immaculate Catholic PrimarySchool and The Beacon CE PrimarySchool) is one of only 150 schools inEngland to be granted teachingschool status in the third wave.

The designation by the nationalcollege for teaching and leadershipentitles the school to lead thetraining and professionaldevelopment for staff.

Headteacher, Dr Lesley Curtis,said: “I am delighted for Liverpooland for nursery education to be partof the national college teachingschools programme, to share ourwork both locally and further afield. I am also delighted to gainNational Leader for Education(NLE) status”.

New role for nursery

p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 15:42

Traditional values at the heart of all our workThere has never been a better time in the history of education in Knowsley for you as parents and carers to grasp the opportunity to have your children educated at a school here in Huyton at the centre of your community. Knowsley Council and the Governors of Huyton Arts and Sports Centre for Learning (HASCL) have taken the ground breaking and exciting decision to transform education in Huyton by partnering with The Dean Trust, which is an OUTSTANDING multi- academy organisation.

The Dean Trust is leading the way in school improvement, with both of its secondary schools deemed ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and its primary school one of the most improved in the country. This recently formed partnership has already embedded basic values of respect and good behaviour at HASCL which has rapidly become a place of real opportunity for learning.

developing ‘culture of excellence’

‘Believe, Achieve, Succeed’ has been embraced by all of the schools in The Dean Trust. They have proved the power of these words with record breaking examination results and praise in inspections.

Huyton Arts and SportsCentre for Learning

Make the right choice...

w

Open Evening for all years

School Tour for all years

Open Afternoon for all years

and where the future is secure and exciting!

Stuart Jamieson, Principal with Tarun Kapur CBE, Chief Executive,

The Dean Trust

“The effectiveness of the federation leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement is outstanding.” Ofsted 2010/11 Leadership of more than one school.


p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 15:17


Help and advice

Encouraging reading is ahot topic for parents andconstantly searching fornew material can be time-consuming andexpensive. There aresome excellent websiteswhich discuss the latesttexts for particular ageranges and offer forparents a review of thenovel with a summary ofthe content. A number ofteen books deal with teenissues from relationshipsto terminal illness andmay not be appropriatefor your daughter, and thebest way to ensure that she is readingsuitable material is to check a review onlineor in the bookstore before you purchase.Reading together or sharing books will alsoallow you to discuss the ideas and contentwith your daughter and strengthen yourbond. You can listen to her opinions on the

events and the characters and offer yourown thoughts. She would also enjoy readingbooks you liked as a child and this can be anexcellent introduction for her with someclassic novels and some stretchingvocabulary and ideas. For a list try www.goodreads.com andwww.thebookpeople.co.uk.

The new tests assess each child’s performance on awriting task and look at vocabulary, the grammar used in the sentences, spelling, punctuation andhandwriting. Your daughter’s class teacher will have a good understanding of her current working level in these areas and will be able to reassure you about thecontent of the tests and how your daughter is doing inclass. Every time there is a change to the format of theexams and the expectations upon pupils, extra stress iscreated for the pupils and their parents but your school will be able to reassure you that every child is being prepared to take part in the tests. Athome, the best approach for parents to take is to encourage their children to read aloud athome and to discuss new words and spellings together. By creating simpler writing tasks outof everyday activities such as writing ‘thank you’ letters, shopping lists, a news report for theday, a daily diary or perhaps even stories to read to your daughter’s toys, you will be able toobserve and gently correct any errors or misunderstandings yourself, or highlight them to theteacher in your daughter’s journal. If you think you’d like some help from a workbook, the‘Aiming For’ series by Collins Education offer books to help students achieve a particular levelby consolidating skills in each area.

My 9-year-old daughter is an avid reader and quickly works herway through any new books we buy and books on loan fromthe library. I’m starting to run out of ideas for suitable material.I’ve noticed a large teenage section in the library but I’mconcerned about whether the content is appropriate. Whatshould I do?

My daughter is in Year 6 and willcurrently be sitting the summertests. I’ve heard there have beensome changes to these exams and I’m anxious to make sure sheis well prepared to sit them as shedid struggle with literacy lowerdown the school.

My son will be startingreception class inSeptember at the localprimary and some friendsof mine whose children alsoattend have commentedthat budget cuts couldaffect resources andactivities in the next 12months. I’m keen to getinvolved and support theschool in any way that I canand wondered if you haveany advice on how to getstarted?

Dear Educate

Parents’ enthusiasm and successfulpartnerships between parents and staff isvital to the life of the school. I’m sure thatyour school will welcome input fromparents and there is usually a Parents’Forum or a PTA (Parents’ and Teachers’Association) which will hold regularmeetings. It is likely that letters will be senthome with your child concerning theseevents and there will be meetings held todiscuss fundraising events and to ask forvolunteers and helpers. It may be the casethat a number of events are alreadytimetabled for the coming year, at whichyou could help and contribute your timeand ideas, or there may be space in thecalendar for additional activities. Sometried and tested fundraisers include fetesand fairs, bingo, film nights, quiz evenings,barn dances and balls and all offer anopportunity to involve parents and the localcommunity. Whether you wish tocontribute a particular skill such as baking,handling finances or publicity, any supportis sure to be appreciated by staff and pupilsalike. The government website offersfurther details and advice atwww.pta.org.uk.

****************************************************

p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 08:38


Compton House, School Lane, Liverpool L1 3BT(off Hanover Street)TEL: 0151 329 2727FAX: 0151 329 [email protected]

Theimportantrole of supplystaff withinschools today

A couple of years ago the Recruitment andEmployment Confederation (REC) conductedresearch that highlighted the value that agencystaff and supply teachers bring to schools.

School budgets are not being increased andsupply staff are proving a popular choice forschools as a way of also saving money. Year onyear, Connex Education has seen a markedincrease in supply to primary, secondary andSEN schools. Supply teachers are more oftenthan not a solution to a crisis and an integralpart of the supply chain into schools.

Supply staff receive phone calls from Connexbetween 7am and 8am and arrive at school for8.30am. A lot of the time, they could be goingto a school they’ve never been to before whichis situated across the city, or within anotherLA.

Fighting rush hour traffic, supply staff willarrive at school and give it their all. Often theyare thrown into the deep end and deliverlessons all day to children they have nevermet, within an environment they’ve neverworked in before. Doing this is not foreveryone…and can be quite daunting.

Straight out of the door at 3.30pm? Notsupply staff from Connex! In Primary settingsfor example, they will ensure all the marking isdone and full handover notes are completedfor when the class teacher returns. Most willstay past 4.15pm to ensure everything is done.

Paul BirchallBranch Manager, Liverpool

p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 08:38

Paul Cronin

Ever wondered how a primaryschool headteacher spendstheir time? We catch up with

Paul Cronin, headteacher at StLaurence’s Catholic Primary Schoolin Kirkby to find out.

Monday:My working day starts at 7am and theschool opens to students at 7.30amevery day for breakfast club.The week always starts with anassembly for the whole school. We usethese assemblies to celebrate thesuccess and achievements of ourpupils. Sport is a strong feature in ourschool - we have over 30 sports clubseach week – and in today’s assemblywe’re presenting medals to ourKnowsley Cross Country runners.We’re also celebrating the success ofour school choir, which performed atthe Liverpool choir festival.I spend much of Monday dealing withvarious school issues, checking emailsand speaking to parents. We have astaff meeting at 3.30pm for all teachingstaff, which lasts until 5pm. And thenit’s time for our evening keep fit class.We hold after school classes that thecommunity can get involved in and thisone is always a popular one.We also hold after schools clubs for thestudents until 5.15pm each day whichhelps parents who work until 5pm.

Tuesday:Tuesday begins with a seniormanagement meeting at 8am. I get toschool for about 7am in order to sort afew things out before the meeting.There’s no danger of getting sleepyduring the day though as I run a cross-country running club every lunchtime.We have contractors on site at themoment undertaking some majorbuilding work so I have to check up onthem throughout the day to make sureeverything is going to plan.Tuesday night is family night from6pm-7.30pm. Parents are invited tocome along with their children and weplay a range of games and activities.It’s always a fun evening.

Wednesday:On Wednesday I have a lot of meetings

to attend. I’m chair of the KirkbyCollaborative of Schools and we have ameeting at 9am. Straight from that Ihead to the Kirkby CatholicHeadteachers meeting followed by aLocal Authority meeting.Then it’s back to the school. We have ajunior chef in at the moment and all thechildren are engaged in cookerylessons, which are proving veryenjoyable. And there’s reason to celebrate as ourfootball team competes in the KirkbySchool’s Football Cup and wins tobecome champions.

Thursday:We have two classes out on school tripstoday – one to the Eco Centre inSouthport and the other to Martin Merewetland nature reserve in Burscough.Unfortunately I’m not going with them.Instead I start the day with a KirkbyCollaborative meeting at 8.30am.We’ve commissioned an artist to dosome artwork at the school so I catchup with him during the morning to seehow it’s coming along. It’s an exciting afternoon as we havepress and TV teams in the school toreport on our junior chef cookeryclasses.

Friday:We have sports clubs at school everyday starting at 8am and today’s is Judoafter which the pupils head toassembly. This morning I’m meeting with parentsto discuss family literacy and numeracyand the children’s behaviour.Friday afternoon is spent dealing witha mountain of paperwork, emails andKirkby collaborative issues then it’s offto the Knowsley School’s Trade Fair.Friday’s after school club is the ever-popular dance club. Like most nights, Ihead home at around 7pm after a longand action-packed week.

A week in the life of Paul Cronin, headteacher, St Laurence’s CatholicPrimary School, Kirkby

We have sports clubsat school every dayand today’s is Judo

“”

p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 08:38

p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 08:38


School Ec NewsSponsored by

Pillaging, marauding… and recyclingPupils inspired by vikings’ better habitsPrimary school pupils in Liverpool and the Wirral are takingtips on recycling from the Vikings after teaming up witharchaeologists.

The Recycle like a Viking project – part funded by MerseysideRecycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) – aims to showyoungsters how, despite their fearsome reputation, the Vikingswere the ultimate recycling experts who re-used everything frommetal and bone to glass and leather.

Pupils involved in the scheme, developed by Wirral basedcommunity interest company Archaeology for Schools, will studythe components of the typical Viking wardrobe; learn how even

BAG IT UPAs a direct result of the efforts of students, parents andstaff at St Hilda’s CE High School, Liverpool, have managedto recycle a massive 600kg of textiles from a singlecollection!

They collected well over 100 bags full of textiles, withsome people even bringing in 17 bags on their own! For allof these efforts, St Hilda’s has been awarded with a chequefor £300 which will of course be put to good use.

They also placed new paper and plastic recycling bagsin every classroom and office; something that has beendirectly funded by this project.

Most importantly, their efforts mean that 600kg of textileshaven’t made their way to landfill, which is a small bit ofgood news for the environment.

Local youngsters Sam Williams (left) and Ben Williams(right), both aged 5 from Wallasey, are given a Vikingdemonstration

the goriest bits of cows were used to make things and visit thehistory hut, a converted Bromborough shop, and the Museumof Liverpool to find out more about recycling Viking-style.

Dean Paton, of Archaeology for Schools, said: “As anarchaeologist Viking age sites are among the hardest to digbecause they really did leave so little rubbish. It’s almostimpossible to find evidence of them being around.

“They were rough people in a very rough world but they dohave green credentials which can help salvage theirreputation.”

The Recycle like a Viking project was one of several whichreceived funding from MRWA’s community fund to reduce theamount of waste currently going to landfill, through wastecollections, education and workshops that will teach peoplenew skills.

p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 15:25


Sponsored by

Pupils at a Kirkby primary schoolwere leading the way in supportingFairtrade – with a little help fromKnowsley’s Fairtrade mascot ‘MrsBanana’.

Children at Millbrook Primary Schoolheld a special Fairtrade assembly followedby a Fairtrade ‘banana conga’ in theplayground to mark their involvement inFairtrade Fortnight.

Knowsley is a Fairtrade Borough andthe council supports schools across theborough to achieve Fairtrade Schoolstatus.

To achieve this accolade schools mustdemonstrate that they use and promoteFairtrade products and pupils understandhow Fairtrade can make a difference tothose living in the developing world.

Knowsley’s cabinet member for leisure,community and culture Cllr Eddie Connorsaid: “We are keen to support schools toachieve Fairtrade School status so that theconsumers of tomorrow know theimportance of ensuring farmers in the

developing world receive a fair price forthe products they produce.

Jane Maloney, headteacher at MillbrookPrimary School said: “‘Millbrook School

loves to support Fairtrade. Childrenencourage parents to buy items with theFairtrade sign on and we collect thewrappers to display on our Fairtrade tree”.

‘Mrs Banana’ leads the way School shows its support for Fairtrade

Sowing the seedsPupils and teachers atCalderstones School havebeen getting their handsdirty as they make a bidfor eco-school status.

One of several activitiesthey have been working on istheir BBC Green Cornerproject.

Students at the AllertonRoad School have chosen totake a piece of land and bringit back to life by developingan allotment. They have alsobeen using the opportunity toreach out to others byinvolving members of thecommunity.

Local businesses andmedia have been lendingtheir support to the school;BBC Radio Merseyside havebeen guiding the project and

reporting on its progress andDobbies Garden Centre hasdonated a number of items.

Meanwhile, their localTesco has helped out bydonating food for thevolunteers.

The aim is to turn thespace into an outdoorresource and a place ofrelaxation for the wholeschool to enjoy.

Emma Taylor, a teacherinvolved with the eco-statusbid said: “The overall idea isto get kids to learn outdoors,we’re looking at naturewalks, a pond for bio-diversity, a wild flowermeadow and an outdoorclassroom. We have a numberof these things in placealready.”

Green fingers in the playgroundCould there be a better way to get children to engage withnature and a healthy diet than by helping them grow theirown food?

Pupils as young as three years old from Carleton HousePreparatory School, Liverpool, have planted a wide range of fruitand vegetables including potatoes, onions, celeriac, soft fruits,herbs and salads. Everything goes into the school kitchen for chefAndy to include in the children’s healthy lunches.

Mums, dads, grandparents, family friends and gardeningexperts have all come together to support and encourage thechildren, even spending a Saturday morning shifting four tonnes ofsoil for the new raised beds. This year promises a bumper harvest.

The gardening project is just one of the children’s eco activities.Recycling, reusing, minimising waste and saving energy not onlycontribute to saving valuable resources but, as the childrenpointed out to their headteacher Mrs Daniels, it means moremoney to spend on a greenhouse!

This year the children will re-apply for eco school status andlook forward to winning a third ‘green flag’.

Pupils from Calderstones Schoolare interviewed by RadioMerseyside about their allotment

New dates announcedMersey Ferries have announced two new dates for theirWildlife EcoCruise.

The two-hour long cruises along Liverpool’s renownedwaterfront will feature top environmental experts andprofessional RSPB field teachers. The cruises are on Wednesday26 June, 10.00am-12.00noon and Tuesday 2 July 2013,10.00am-12.00noon. For further information call 0151 330 1444.

p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 08:38


Sponsored by

A group of third year BAQTSstudents from Liverpool HopeUniversity, have been working withRice Lane Infants and NurserySchool in a recycling project.

The students have run a wholeschool challenge with the objectiveto inspire children to reusenewspaper in a creative and funway, whilst helping theenvironment at the same time.

Through the use of activities andworkshops, children have beendeveloping an understanding of theeffects of recycling, both on a localand a global scale, within a talk-enriched, collaborative and creativeenvironment.

During the week children wereinvolved in creating newspaperbags, paper bowls, paperbriquettes to build structures alongwith newspaper costumes for afashion show, before ending theweek with an assembly in front ofparents and the local community toshowcase their work plus to tell

others about the importance ofrecycling.

To finish the project off thechildren built a camp fire withinthe school grounds using thepaper briquettes as a source offuel; children then had theopportunity to toastmarshmallows whilstreflecting on their week.

Hope UniversityStudent, Lauren Williams,said: “We thought itwould be a good idea toshare the outcomes of ourproject with other schoolsand the local communityand hopefully others willbe inspired to do similaractivities.

“The children havebegan to understand thatwe can all make adifference and contribute tothe protection of ourenvironment both on smalland global scales.

The latest fashionaccessories, newspaper bags

Newspaper knights

Pupils toastmarshmellows inthe playground

Pupils modelthe latestrecycledfashiondesigns

Newspapers go greenWith a little help from Rice Lane Infants

Pupils play Jenga withpaper briquettes

p51-62_covers 03/05/2013 08:39

Step on board and enjoy a journey through Merseyside’swaterfront heritage as you investigate the local wildlifewithin the River Mersey’s diverse ecosystem.

Merseytravel’s Mersey Ferries will be running two-hour long cruises alongLiverpool’s renowned waterfront. Featuring top environmental expertsand professional RSPB field teachers, the Wildlife Eco-cruise createsa living classroom on the water.

Highlights of the Mersey Ferries Wildlife Eco-Cruise include:

• Birdwatching and talks with the RSPB – see up to 25 varieties of birds!

• Examine the Mersey’s ecosystem under the microscope on the‘Plankton Trawl’ with experts from National Museums and Galleries

• Burbo Bank Wind Farm and experts from Dong Energy discussingthis new resource

• Fascinating commentary from Mersey Ferries on the history of thisrenowned passage

• Liverpool’s Three Graces – The best views of the UNESCOWorld Heritage Site

• Antony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ on Crosby Beach

To book please call 0151 330 1444Advanced booking is required as places are limited.

Wildlife EcoCruiseThe perfect choice for a fun,educational day out

Free WildlifeEco-Cruise

workbook forpassengers

Book Now

Prices

Departs Seacombe at 10.00am and Pier Head, Liverpool at 10.15am

£7.00 per childOne free adult ticket for every 6 children’stickets (additional adults £7.00)

Wednesday26th June 201310.00am-12.00noon

Tuesday2nd July 201310.00am-12.00noon

p63-72_covers 03/05/2013 08:40



Preparations for this year’s Educate Awards,sponsored by Connex Education are wellunderway and organisers of the event havereleased details on their judging panel for2013.

The awards are an annual recognition ofoutstanding achievement from schools inMerseyside and the surrounding areas. They aredue to take place at the end of the year and willinclude categories celebrating a wide selection ofacademic accomplishments.

This year, the judges represent a prestigiousselection of some of the most important names ineducation, business and the community. Theyhave each been chosen for their expertise,commitment to public service and ability to serveas positive role models. They will be chargedwith assessing the nominations and selecting thewinners for each category.

Kim O’Brien, executive editor of EducateMagazine said: “We’re delighted to have Mark,Lisa, Lesley and Chris as judges for the awardsthis year. Their individual backgrounds willprovide a balanced and informed adjudicationprocess for choosing the winners.”

Judges biographies:Mark Beedles Mark has been managing director of ConnexEducation for over 10 years. He was the foundingdirector of a company that places supplyteachers, teaching assistants, nursery nurses andsupervisors into schools across the Northwestand beyond.

Over the years Mark has concentrated on thequality of the teachers that the company workwith, and in the safeguarding of children. As a“hands on” founding director, Mark put in placeseveral quality checks for potential teachers anda rigorous interview system to ensure he and hisstaff could recognise good talent, confident in thefact that they would be placed into local schoolsand have a positive impact.

Lisa MurphyLisa is head of primary teacher education at

Liverpool John Moores University. She has 20years’ experience of working in education, bothas a teacher and as a teacher educator. Lisa ispassionate about education and about theeducation of student teachers. In her current role,Lisa works in close collaboration with a greatnumber of primary schools across Merseysideand beyond, and she is a member of various localand national education and teacher educationorganisations and committees, such as theTeaching Agency’s North West Group 4 Network,the University Council for the Education ofTeachers and the Teacher EducationAdvancement Network.

Lesley Martin-Wright Lesley is chief executive at Knowsley Chamber ofCommerce. It’s her role to lead an organisationthat is very active in representing the businesseswithin the borough of Knowsley. She assists andsupports companies and organisations of alltypes to develop and grow, to become more agileand more resilient. Over the next 12 to 18months she aims to increase the number ofyoung entrepreneurs in the borough, helpingthem start their own business on the right course;create an education / business forum which willenergise work experience opportunities, and givea real meaning to the “World of Work”.

Chris WalkerChris is regional managing editor of Trinity MirrorNorth West & North Wales. He started hisjournalistic career as a junior reporter on theBradford Telegraph & Argus in 1974. During hisreporting career he has covered many majorregional, national and international stories,including the first murder, arrest, trial and appealof Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, the attemptedassassination of the Pope, the miners’ strike andfive general elections. Chris is married to ateacher and they have three grown-up children,two of whom are in their first year of teaching. Hehas been a primary school governor since 1998,vice-chair for the past 10 years and chair of thecurriculum committee for the past five years.

Pupils from St Ambrose Barlow Catholic HighSchool in Netherton were celebrating after winningthe Year 7 Sefton Football League.

In a close league it went down to the last week andthe top position changed hands on numerous occasionsbut St Ambrose Barlow held on to finish outrightwinners.

Earlier on in the season the boys also won a 7a-sideSefton tournament hosted by Everton at Finch Farm .

Team manager Michael Metcalf said: “The boys haveplayed some really nice football over the year andconducted themselves really well. They have been acredit to our school. I hope they enjoyed their day whenwe visited Finch Farm”.

Judges named for Educate Awards 2013

Mark Beedles

Lisa Murphy

Lesley Martin-Wright

Chris Walker

SEFTON CHAMPIONS

p63-72_covers 03/05/2013 11:22

www.nugentcare.orgRegistered Charity: 222930

Nugent Care Chi ldren’s ServicesNugent Care's Children and Young People's Services

include; respite care for young people who have

learning and physical disabilities as well as complex

health needs, a secure centre for young people who

display risk taking behaviour, two residential schools

for children with special educational needs and a

residential children's home for children with

behavioural and emotional difficulties. This service

also offers placements to sibling groups and

undertakes mother and baby assessments. We are

also an approved Adoption Agency helping people who

are looking to adopt children from the UK or overseas

and supporting individuals who have been adopted

through Nugent Care.

Nugent Care continually works to promote the

welfare of children in the North West region.

Clarence High School Nugent House School Clumber Lodge St. Catherine’s Nazareth House Nugent Care Adoption Service

99 Edge Lane, Liverpool L7 2PE

E: [email protected]

T: 0151 261 2000

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FundraisingpartnershipOrganisers of the Educate Awards,sponsored by Connex Education areproud to announce its support forthe Teenage Cancer Trust.

At the end of this year, we will beholding our annual Educate Awardsceremony, and have chosen the TeenageCancer Trust to benefit as our officialcharity.

Kim O’Brien, executive editor forEducate Magazine says: “We haveselected the Teenage Cancer Trustbased on the amazing work it does withyoung people in the North West andaround the country. It is imperative thatthis organisation is recognised andsupported for the fantastic service itprovides.”

The Teenage Cancer Trust is the onlycharity in the UK dedicated to providingexpert treatment and support to youngpeople with cancer right from the

beginning.Sian Day, North West regional

fundraiser for Teenage Cancer Trustsays: “It’s a real honour to be nominatedas the charity for the Educate Awards.It’s not only a fantastic opportunity toraise money, but it’s a great way to raiseawareness of the work that we do andthe issues faced by young people withcancer.”

Nominations for the awards are nowopen. More information is available onthe website:http://www.educateawards.co.uk.

Would you like to be on the frontlineof radio, supporting the work of theRadio Academy’s ‘best radio stationin the northwest 2012’?

If so, Knowsley Community College’sbrand new BTEC extended diploma inradio (Creative Media Production) couldbe for you.

Working alongside 99.8FM KCC Live,which has more than 50,000 listenerseach week, the course is delivered via acombination of traditional and interactivemedia techniques, using recognisedindustry software and technology inpractical workshops, lectures, and self-directed study.

Students will achieve a Level 3qualification, equivalent to 3 A Levels,that provides valuable vocationalexperience and offers entry to universityor paid work in the radio and creativemedia industry. Previous radio stationmembers currently work in variousprofessional radio job roles, including:Radio City 96.7, Rock FM, BBC1 Extra,BBC 5 Live.

Candidates should be aged 16-24 witha minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C orabove and will be expected to take onthe responsibility of overseeing themanagement and day to day running of99.8FM KCC Live as part of the course.Through these volunteering hours,students will gain the unique opportunityof building up key transferable skills fortheir future careers, whether in the radioor media industry, further education orthe wider world of work.

Units covered on the course include -speech package production; music basedprogramming; interview techniques;working as a freelancer; understandingthe radio industry; news production forradio and developing a small business inthe creative media industry.

For further information or to sign up tothis free, professionally recognisedqualification in radio call 0151 481 4602or email [email protected]

Could you be thenext Chris Moyles?

Help - get meout of here!Liverpool based company Connex Education raised money through a realbush tucker trial recently in aid of Comic Relief.

A Facebook campaign leading up to the event had a voting system, allowingvisitors to vote for their forfeit of choice.

The bush tucker trialwon outright againstactivities such as acustard pie in the face, aman versus foodcompetition or a danceoff.

“To be honest” saidPaul Birchall branchmanager at the LiverpoolHQ “we expected thedance off to be the mostpopular, we were notexpecting to eat bugs andcreepy crawlies!”

Lisa Dovey, recruitmentconsultant who worksclosely with schoolsacross Liverpool, Wirraland St Helens was thestar of the show for theLiverpool office, as she managed to eat every bug put before her including thedreaded giant black rhino beetle.

As well as eating cockroaches, beetles, silk worms and crickets, the staff alsoundertook a series of forfeits throughout the day in order to boost the money raisingextravaganza.

A total of £1,500 was raised for Comic Relief.

The Connex Education team prepare for theirbush tucker trail

p63-72_covers 03/05/2013 11:23

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Now accepting applications from 14–19 year olds of all abilities from Wirral, Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton and St Helens.

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Did you know that you can change school at 14 or 16?Want a career in Science or Healthcare?lifesciencesutc.co.uk

If you are thinking about your GCSE or A Level options, and love science, you’ll want to fi nd out more about this brand new education opportunity for 14-19 year olds.

Liverpool Life Sciences UTC is the fi rst school in the UK specialising in Science and Healthcare for 14 to 19 year olds. The UTC will provide an outstanding academic and vocational education by working closely with local employers and the University of Liverpool to create the next generation of scientists, healthcare practitioners and entrepreneurs.

Open Evenings are taking place across the region throughout the summer months. Check the website to fi nd your nearest event.

Our promise to you:A job, apprenticeship or university place when you successfully complete your programme of study.

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Helping 16 to 18 year olds into Apprenticeships

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Journey to workA bright future in engineering

Fierce competition for jobs makes itworrying for parents advising theirchildren on career options.

Apprenticeships provide opportunitiesfor school-leavers to gain recognisedqualifications and earn while they learn.

The story of one young man fromLiverpool serves as a perfect example ofthe success they can bring.

Whilst at school, Craig Sharmandecided he wanted a career inengineering. After his A-levels he wasunsure whether his best option was to lookfor a job, or to apply for university.

Craig decided on a vocational route andstarted an engineering apprenticeshipwith the Peel Ports Group, supported bytraining provider, North West TrainingCouncil (NWTC).

During his apprenticeship, it soonbecame clear to NWTC how committedCraig was. His attendance was 100% andhe passed all his qualifications early withflying colours, pushing himself to completefurther training to boost his skills.

Craig was also flourishing in theworkplace - as his skills grew, so did hisconfidence. He was soon given moreresponsibility including solving faults withmachinery to improve safety andproductivity levels.

Craig also took the time to support hisfellow apprentices.

By demonstrating patience andunderstanding, he inspired others toproduce quality work. These team-workingskills proved to be invaluable when, in thethird year of his apprenticeship, Craig wasmade the first point of call for engineering

maintenance problems. As well as an impressive list of

nationally-recognised qualifications,Craig’s successes also include beingcrowned NWTC’s Apprentice of the Yearaward in 2012, and runner-up for SeftonApprentice of the Year 2013.

Shortly before finishing hisapprenticeship, Craig accepted a positionwith Jaguar Land Rover.

Craig was able to complete hisapprenticeship at Jaguar Land Roverwhere he is still employed, withresponsibility for operating highlytechnical car manufacturing equipment.He is also working towards a BachelorsDegree in Industrial Electronic ControlEngineering.

Jan Sharman, Craig’s mum, said: “Atfirst I was uncomfortable with Craig’sdecision not to go to university afterfinishing school. But it soon became clearthat Craig’s apprenticeship would givehim an excellent foundation for a brightfuture.

“I have watched Craig gain skills andconfidence whilst building solid roots in ajob he loves. If he had gone straight tocollege or university, he’d just be startingto look for work now. By choosing anapprenticeship he now already has anestablished career, but is still able topursue higher education qualifications.”

Speaking about his apprenticeshipjourney, says: “When I started myapprenticeship I had no practicalengineering skills.

“However I was passionate aboutbecoming an engineer, and my trainingprovider, North West Training Council,encouraged me to succeed. Myapprenticeship has given me skills,knowledge, and a career I’m proud of.”

Paul Musa, chief executive of NWTC,adds: “Craig’s story demonstrates howapprenticeships are a viable option forschool-leavers. He is now a qualified,experienced engineer whereas many of hispeers are struggling to find a job.

“We are proud to say, Craig is now avalued member of the Jaguar Land Roverteam.”

Jaguar Land Rover recruit and developmany young apprentices each year andwere recently awarded the title ofLiverpool City Region ApprenticeshipEmployer 2013.

Lee is right on keyLee knew he wanted a career in musicproduction. He left school after hisGCSEs to try and break into the industry.After many months he had had no luckfinding the right kind of work experience,even unpaid. Just as he was about togive up, Lee found out about Mode’s Keyto Apprenticeships music industrytraining programme. He realised thiscould provide him with the workexperience he needed, as well as musicindustry qualifications.With practical sessions on performing,using recording technology and DJing,Mode’s Key To Apprenticeshipsprogramme provided Lee with skills anda real insight into the music business.He learned how to use studio equipmentand was encouraged to produce his ownmusic – something which he was reallygood at, producing beats for local radioshows.

During his time with Mode, Lee achieved: • Level 2 certificate in MusicPerformance Skills • Level 1 certificate in Preparation forEmployment• Level 2 extended certificate in MusicTechnology.Tutors are music industry professionalsLee said: “My time at Mode taught me allabout the different aspects of a career inmusic performance and production.Being able to learn in a practical way, notjust from a textbook, really brought thecourse to life. Because they actually stillwork in the music business, the tutorswere able to help me understand theworkings of the industry. They alsointroduced me to a network of contactswhich has helped kick start my freelancecareer.”Lee can now start making a livingproducing other artists’ music. He will be

doing this whilst he continues tocontribute to Liverpool’s vibrant musicscene: writing, performing and selling hisown music. Lee will also soon starttraining as a tutor and assessor for theKey to Apprenticeships music courses atMode.

p63-72_covers 03/05/2013 14:34 Page 70

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Asset Training specialises in apprenticeships in thefollowing areas:

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p63-72_covers 03/05/2013 08:42 Page 71

Educate Plus sponsored by GMLPF

Winning the Wirral Apprentice of theYear title at the Liverpool City RegionApprenticeships Awards marked amilestone in an outstanding journey forone young man from the Wirral and histraining provider, Mercia Partnership.

Adam Hill, left school at 16 with gaps in hisskills and qualifications. A medical conditionhad led to him missing Year 10, andexperiencing a mixture of home and hospital-based teaching in Year 11.

After completing some basic IT and KeySkills training, Adam, decided a career incomputing was for him.

Despite being turned down on a number ofoccasions, Adam persisted and the company,Proper Geeks, finally agreed that he couldwork in their workshop.

Adam’s relationship with Proper Geeksgrew and, after he had proved himself to be acommitted member of the team, the companyagreed to support him in undertaking anapprenticeship.

After researching local apprenticeshiptraining providers, Adam and Proper Geeksapproached Mercia Partnership and Adamenrolled on an apprenticeship in ICT Supportwith them. Mercia Partnership also providedhim with training to boost his maths andEnglish skills. After completing hisapprenticeship, Adam progressed onto anAdvanced Apprenticeship.

Throughout both his apprenticeshipstraining, Adam continued to work diligently inhis job at Proper Geeks. Adam is now themain mobile PC engineer and drives hisProper Geeks van, servicing computers at

customers’ homes and business premises. Steve McGovern of Proper Geeks said: “We

were worried at first that the extra workload oftraining an apprentice would mean that ourbusiness would suffer, but it’s been quite theopposite.

“We first met Adam as a raw, shy andunderdeveloped individual but he hascontinually taken on extra responsibilities andexceeded our expectations.”

Speaking about his apprenticeship journeyAdam said: “Missing so much school due tobeing ill made both my skills and myconfidence suffer. I knew I wanted to workwith computers and my training with MerciaPartnership, combined with the fantasticsupport I’ve received from Proper Geeks, hasmeant that I now have skills and a career tobe proud of.”

Sandra Birchall, sales and marketingmanager at Mercia Partnership, said: “Adamhas achieved a huge amount sinceundertaking his Apprenticeship and deservesall of the recognition and career success he’senjoying.

Stan Pochron, chief executive of the GreaterMerseyside Learning Providers Federation(GMLPF), the organisation which sponsoredthe Liverpool City Region ApprenticeshipAwards, said: “Adam has my warmestcongratulations on both his award and hisachievements as a whole. His storyhighlights how the combined encouragementof a supportive training provider and acommitted employer can really work to drivethe success of a dedicated young person tosucceed.”

A dayin thelife…Blakeway North, aregional office of TenAlps-owned BlakewayProductions specialisesin factual programmingfor a range ofbroadcasters.

They have recentlyproduced a series of shortfilms focusing onapprentices, whether high-tech engineer, plumber,chef, outdoor educationtutor, dental nurse orhairdresser.

An apprenticeship canbe a terrific way into a job,to earn while you learn andoffers a real alternative toUniversity for many youngpeople. This dynamic seriesof six short films follows agroup of engagingteenagers as they try outbeing an apprentice for theday, in a wide variety oftrades.

Careers’ mentor AimeeBateman helps guideprospective apprentices,offering them practicalhints on how to make theright choices - and in acomplimentary seventhfilm she offers top tips oncreating an amazing CV;doing the ultimateinterview and maximisingthe value of anapprenticeship. With schoolstudents now having tostay in full time educationor training until the age of18, this high-energy seriesprovides plenty of usefuladvice to those who mightbenefit from a vocationaleducation setting.

The Hairdressing videowas produced using 14-year-old Beth Hargreaveswho tries out being anapprentice hairdresser for aday.

Beth finds out whatemployers are looking forfrom one of Britain’s tophairdressers, AndrewCollinge. Beth alsoshadows 17 year oldapprentice hairdresserNatasha Brass.

Apprentice star AdamAn award-winning proper geek!

Adam Hill, Wirral Apprentice of the Year receives his award from Steve McGovernof Proper Geeks

p63-72_covers 03/05/2013 14:35 Page 72


Q My 17 year old son is about to start anapprenticeship in business administration with alarge IT firm. As an apprentice, will he beentitled to any holidays? I want to book a familybreak over the summer but I don’t know if hewill be able to get any time off.A Like most other employees, apprentices are entitledto at least 20 days holiday a year, as well as bankholidays. It’s important to remember that as anemployee, an apprentice is entitled to the same rightsand conditions as other employees.

Q My daughter wants to do an apprenticeship asshe says she wants to earn money while shetrains to be a qualified electrician. I know thatapprentices have to be properly employed but isthere a minimum amount an employer has to paytheir apprentices?A The National Minimum Wage (NMW) forapprentices aged 16 to 18 is £2.65 an hour, rising to£2.68 an hour in October 2013. However, asapprentices’ skills develop, many employers increasewages. Research shows that apprentices earn anaverage of £170 net pay per week. For apprenticeships aged 19 or over, once they havecompleted the first year of their apprenticeship, theiremployer must pay them the NMW for 18-20 year olds,currently £4.98 an hour, rising to £5.03 in October2013.

Q My 16 year old son wants to leave school thisyear and go on an apprenticeship. He is dyslexicand I wonder if there is any specialist help hecould access whilst on his apprenticeship?A All young people who go onto an apprenticeshipare linked to a learning provider who delivers theirtraining and provides the right on-going support toenable them to achieve their qualifications. Learningproviders give tailored support to every apprentice,based on their individual needs, learning difficulties ordisabilities. In the case of an apprentice with dyslexia,their support plan may include ensuring they haveaccess to appropriate technology or coloured overlaysfor example. It’s important that your son lets hislearning provider know he has dyslexia. This willtrigger all the available support. Any information hediscloses will be kept confidential.

Q&AApprenticeships

MICHAEL JOHN ACADEMYTHE SPECIALIST HAIR AND BEAUTY PROVIDER

Have vacancies available to train inHAIRDRESSING • BARBERING • BEAUTY

THERAPY • NAIL SERVICES & SPA THERAPYIf you are aged between 16 to 59 and interested in anexciting and innovative career phone KATIE now on

0151 708 8558or CALL IN TO OUR WORLD CLASS TRAINING ACADEMY

42-46 Renshaw Street, Liverpool L1 4EFwww.michaeljohnacademy.com

Apprenticeships opportunities at MACTAC

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Make the right choice for a career in hairdressingFor more information contact: 0151 709 5942

or email: [email protected]

p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 14:37 Page 73

Educate Plus sponsored by GMLPF www.gmlpf.net

JUST THE JOBLife just got a whole lot better forLoren Sylvester and StephenColquhoun after they both landed jobsthanks to a unique project ran byMerseyside Accredited CommunityTraining & Assessment Centre(MACTAC) and VauxhallNeighbourhood Council (VNC).

They were both referred to MACTACand the new innovative Journey to Workproject delivered in collaboration withNeuro Support Liverpool, funded bynational training provider Intraining, aftersuffering years of neurological problems,which depleted their confidence andprevented them from finding work.

They have both taken part in the ten-week course which is designed to improvetheir literacy and maths skills, boost theirconfidence, find them work placementsand introduce them to job opportunities.

And they proved such a success on theproject; they have been employed by theNeuro Support as learning mentors tosupport people with brain disorders onfuture courses.

Steven, 24, from Huyton in the city,began to suffer severe epileptic siezuressix years ago after an unprovoked attackleft him unconscious.

Neuro Support vocational servicesmanager, Gerry Tyrrell, said: “We aredelighted to be able to offer Loren andStephen apprenticeships here at the centrebecause we have seen what great supportthey have shown to their peers and they

both have the strength of character tomake a difference.

“It’s wonderful that we have been ableto offer them jobs because we know theywill help so many people in the future toovercome the problems that theythemselves have experienced. They havefirst hand knowledge. There are so manypeople out there in Liverpool with

neurological disorders who need oursupport and we know we can help theminto work.

Gill Mason enterprise director at VNCsaid: “We have only ran one course, butalready we can see that it’s making adifference and we have another 10 peoplejust started. With just a bit of help, theirlives can be turned around, too.”

A cut aboveAcademy offers excellent opportunitiesYOU don’t have to leave school toundertake a Study Programme withMichael John Academy (MJA).MJA will be offering studyprogrammes from August 2013 eitherin partnership with schools for 14-16year olds or by individual applicationand enrolment at MJA for 16-18 yearolds.

Schools can contact MJA for a fullbrochure of services and costings, whichcan be tailored to suit the school and itspupil’s needs. Study programmes can leadtowards Principal Learning in Hair andBeauty Studies Level 1 or 2 whichcontribute to school result tables, or othermore vocational qualifications that providethe young student with valuable skills,knowledge, abilities and employmentprospects.

MJA are a Grade Two GOOD Providerinspected by OFSTED in March 2012.MJA have a world class academy facilityin the heart of Liverpool and trainingcentres in both Southport and Preston. In

addition to state of the art facilities MJAoffer ‘outstanding’ care, guidance andsupport.

Schools who would like more

information on the services availablecan contact Christopher OR Christineon 0151 708 8558 for a brochure or toarrange a meeting.

GMLPF sign up as sponsorGreater Merseyside Learning ProviderFederation (GMLPF) has recentlysigned up as sponsor of an excitingnew award to be presented at the 2013 Educate Awards to be held inDecember.

The Career Aspiration Award willrecognise the school that has done the most to help its pupils and their parentsunderstand the different career pathways open to school leavers. The judges ofthis award will be looking for innovative and creative approaches to providingpupils with advice and guidance on their career options.

They will be looking for approaches that embrace the full spectrum ofopportunities including both academic routes and vocational options such asApprenticeships.

GMLPF champions professional learning through vocational programmeslike Apprenticeships. It represents a membership of 60 Merseyside learningproviders, supporting them in the provision of high quality trainingprovision for employers, schools and individuals. Find out more atwww.gmlpf.net or call 0151 707 8775

p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 14:37 Page 74

If you're leaving school or college this year and aren't sure of thenext step – take a look at the full-time coursesavailable at Myerscough College's Liverpoolcentre at Croxteth Park.

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Tuition fees are on the rise whilst graduate jobsare in decline, Students now leaving university

with increased debt following rises in tuition fees,are likely to face years of hardship.

The Prime Minister thinks it’s high time we stoppedpushing university progression onto every pupil andstarted looking at the alternative options for thosewho would prefer a more vocational path into theworkplace. Research shows that many employerswould rather hire people who have opted for anapprenticeship than candidates that have been touniversity. This is because in most cases,apprenticeships do a better job of building skills thatare useful in the working environment.

Matthew Hancock, minister for skills explains: “Thequality of apprenticeships has beenimproving…companies such as Rolls-Royce,Marshalls and BAE provide world-beating trainingwithin their apprenticeships. Now we want to gofurther, offering apprenticeships instead of university,as a route into the professions including insurance,accounting, and law.”

It is predicted that the workforce is increasinglygoing to be composed of vocational achievers. Thegovernment is making a huge effort to ensure thatthese courses are once again at the forefront ofpeople’s minds and that they offer a viablealternative to an academic route.

Apprenticeships are designed to provide aneducation based on practice rather than theory andallows the creation of a “truly world-class, highlyskilled workforce that can compete and thrive in thefierce global race we are in,” states David Cameron.

People who choose this option learn by doing, andinstead of finishing with a huge debt they get paidto train and achieve a qualification. In practice, thismeans that learners are not confined to theclassroom, but get to experience the job role in a realworking environment. For those unsure of their career path, it may beuseful to know that apprenticeships are available ineverything from manufacturing to customer service.

Learners can study higher level apprenticeshipswhich can open up management positions withintheir chosen industry. Apprenticeships typically lastbetween one and four years, learners will evenreceive an hourly wage while they are completingtheir qualification.

Could anapprenticeship bethe route for you?By Peter McEvoy, director/owner, Asset Training & Consultancy

p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 17:18 Page 75

‘SPECTACULAR’SUCCESS

Students shine at Hair andPerformance Showcase

A recent and unprecedentedcollaboration between tpm, ModeTraining’s staff and students providedthe successful platform for a stunningshowcase of student skills, talent andcreativity. ‘Spectacular Spectacular’ took place atLiverpool’s famous Grand Central Hall(The Dome), in March and provided themost befitting venue for a skills-circus.The show encapsulated five competitiveevents into four connected themes:Pirouette, Moulin Rouge, Burlesque andCirque. Students from schools, Key toApprentices, apprentices and advancedapprentices competed and performed‘spectacularly’ in an exemplaryshowcase of entertainment. Advancedapprentices prepared suitable modelswhose remit was to participate as partof the evening’s floor show.Independent industry professionalsadjudicated the competitive proceedingsand commented on the incredible skill,talent and commercial validity ofstudent’s work. A unique andoutstanding aspect of the evening wasthe live djing, singing and danceprovided by Mode’s Key to Apprentices,who also interpreted the event themesin their performances. There werewinners and placed-competitors fromboth training companies and plenty forstaff, learners, parents, employers andschools to be proud of.

Images by Cetra Studio

Intemediateapprentices getto work on cutand finish

DJ Vinny Speare and musictechnology student Jake

Rowland spin some tunes

Key toApprenticeshipLevel 1 barberwinner ZackBennett

Competitors and modelsfrom TPM and ModeTraining

Model of MollyO’Callaghanfrom Hookasalon

Laura Naylor fromStudio 1 with herwinning model

tpm model byDanielle Moorefrom Shear Success

Winning model by MicaMatos of Hair by DianeKeith

Model by Kim Kirkpatrick ofZig Zag Walton

p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 14:39 Page 76

Specialists in high-quality apprenticeships0151 709 6000 www.tpmnow.co.uk

@tpmUKTraining Plus merseyside

0151 709 4640 www.modetraining.co.uk

@modetrainingModeTraining

Ant Poshtpm

DecBecksMode

Like all successful partnerships we work together to provide you with the essential skills & training to succeed in your chosen career.

From Key 2 Apprenticeships to full apprenticeships our know-how means all our apprentices are in training for great futures.

Career specialists in:

Key 2 ApprenticeshipsHairdressing

Music TechnologyPerformance Skills using Music

ApprenticeshipsManagementTeam Leading

Customer ServiceHairdressing

Barbering

Career specialists in:

Key 2 ApprenticeshipsCustomer Service and

Employment Skills

ApprenticeshipsHairdressing

BarberingChildcare

Business and AdministrationCustomer Service

&&&

p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 16:50 Page 77


Educate Magazine is now on Twitter. One of our goals is to increase our levels

of interaction with parents, teachers andpupils. As a tri-annual magazine, we’rekeen to ensure that we continue to providean educational hub, which encompassesan up to the minute news service all yearround.

Lots of schools in the region areembracing the modern concept of socialmedia. Twitter in particular is a great wayto keep people informed on the latest newsand stay in contact with parents andpupils. It’s also useful as a tool to interactwith new people and gain creative ideasfrom other sources.

We’ve been using our new Twitteraccount to bring together all of therelevant national and local educationarticles each day, as well as cherry pickingour favourite educational resources from

around the internet. We’ve also been using it to find out

what exciting things have been happening in our local schools.

We recently published the first entry inour brand new blog. Educate doesn’tprovide the content for this feed, it’swritten by teachers and pupils in the area.

Our first post came from Miss Taylor’spupils at Calderstones in Allerton, who arecurrently involved in an allotment activityfor their eco-project. Our blog will beposted once each month; it not only servesas a way for us to deliver interestingarticles in between issues, but it allowsschools to showcase their talents and talkabout their current projects.

Follow us: EducateMagazine

Lessonsin financeEvery sixth form student inLiverpool will be able tostudy for a new financequalification - to takeadvantage of a forecastedprofessional services jobsboom in the city

Liverpool City Council andthe Chartered Institute ofSecurities and Investment(CISI) signed an agreement toenable pupils to study for aDiploma in Finance, Risk andInvestment.

An economic report on theLiverpool city region by formerMinister for Merseyside SirMichael Heseltine and ex-Tescochief Sir Terry Leahy in 2011estimated that an additional22,000 jobs will be created inthe professional servicesindustry over the next decade.

It is hoped the industry anduniversity recognisedqualification will give youngpeople a competitiveadvantage when looking forwork in the financial servicesindustry.

As well as learning aboutbonds, derivatives and asset-backed securities, they will findout about the importance ofethics and integrity and thecauses of the global financialcrisis and the problems in theEurozone.

Councillor Jane Corbett,cabinet member for educationand children’s services, said:“This is a really important newqualification which will beoffered to our young people,giving them a chance todevelop a real knowledge andunderstanding of the world offinance.

“It is really important thatour young people understandthe importance of responsiblefinance and how investmentand wealth institutions impacton our everyday lives.”

Archbishop Beck CatholicCollege in Walton will be the‘hub’ for the professionalqualification on behalf ofschools across the city fromSeptember 2013.

Former student achieves his goal

Rainford High Technology College has helped a former student achieve his goalof raising money for charity.

Danny Harrison, 22, contacted Rainford High Technology College asking if its currentstudents would help him raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust who help save thelives of people with blood cancer who need a blood stem cell, or bone marrow transplant.

After Danny came to the college and gave a talk about the charity, students organiseda range of events raising £795.79.

Danny, who is now in his final year studying medicine at Sheffield University, said: “Iknew students at Rainford would be happy to help but I was blown away by how muchmoney they raised.”

Sixth form director Danny Hubball added: “We were more than happy to help one of ourpopular and successful students raise money for this wonderful charity.”

Danny, who achieved 5 A Grades at A-Level in mathematics, further mathematics,chemistry, biology and physics, returned to Rainford in March to do some valuable workwith Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 students who are interested in studying medicine.

Danny Harrisonreceives a cheque

off sixth formdirector Danny

Hubball

Educate Magazineembraces social media


p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 15:51 Page 78


£2 million investment in special schools Two special schools in Liverpool areset to benefit from a £2.1 millioninvestment to provide extraclassrooms.

A report to the Mayor’s Cabinetrecommended that Palmerston andAbbot’s Lea - both in Woolton - beextended to cater for increased demandfor places.

Palmerston, which teaches secondaryaged children with severe learningdifficulties, will get a four classroomextension to provide a post-16 centre andenable it to take on a further 48 pupils.

Abbot’s Lea, which specialises insupporting youngsters with autism, willget an extra six classrooms. Theinvestment in the site will save the citycouncil £2 million a year as it means itwill not have to send around 40 pupils onthe waiting list for places next year out ofthe city to be educated.

Councillor Jane Corbett, cabinetmember for education, said: “Our specialschools do an amazing job providing ouryoung people with a fantastic education.“However, both Palmerston and Abbot’sLea desperately need to be extended toenable us to be able to cope with thedemand for places.

“This work will enable us to provide

first class facilities for young people withspecial educational needs, and it is afantastic and worthwhile investment.”

The cost of the schemes is £929,000 atPalmerston and £1,234,000 at Abbot’sLea.

The new classrooms will have solarpanels on the roof to keep energy costslow and will open in September 2013.

STUDENTS GO RED

Beauty therapy students from KnowsleyCommunity College pampered well-deserving staff at Liverpool Heart andChest Hospital recently for InternationalWear Red Day (IWRD) which aims to raiseawareness of heart disease in women.

The students, along with tutor MarkosKokkinos, worked hard to providecomplementary therapies to many staff at thehospital in return for donations to the IWRDfund.

The day was extremely successful andthoroughly enjoyable for both the students andstaff. Christine Bell, head of corporatecampaigns at the hospital, said: “It was apleasure to work alongside Markos and histeam of students. They were poised, extremelypolite, friendly, efficient and skilled. Thestudents are a great credit to KnowsleyCommunity College and helped to raiseawareness and funds for International WearRed Day.”

Where there’s muck,there’s maths

Pupils from the Academy of StFrancis of Assisi realised theimportance of maths in the wasteindustry recently.

25 GCSE pupils visited theGillmoss Recycling Discovery Centreto undertake a maths workshopahead of their GCSE exam. Thepupils were given a tour of thematerials recovery facility and set aworkbook of real-life questions,which related to the problem thatVeolia receive a 30% increase ofwaste over the Christmas period.

Mark O’Hagan, head of maths atthe Academy, said: “The studentsgained a greater understanding ofthe maths questions because theywere able to relate them to therecycling process in the facility andrealise how maths is used everydayin this business”.

The new style maths questionswere used to help familiarise the

students with the questions they willbe faced with in their GCSE exams.As well as a session presented byVeolia, the Academy’s consultantmaths teacher and the head of mathsgave the pupils a revision session inpreparation for their GCSE exam.

Sam Lawrence, education officerat the Recycling Discovery Centresaid: “The pupils were fantastic,working together as a group toovercome any challenges facedthroughout the day”.

The day was a great success as82.5% of the pupils who attendedincreased their grade by at least 1GCSE level, and 70% of the grouppassed their GCSE maths exam witha grade C or above.

If you would like to arrange amaths in business day at theRecycling Discovery Centre pleaseget in touch on 0203 567 4200, [email protected].

Students fromthe Academyof St Francisof Assisi atthe GillmossRecyclingDiscoveryCentre


p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 15:51 Page 79

MGL Liverpool’s annual springconference took place this year atLiverpool Football Club’s, Anfieldstadium. Nearly 200 teachers andheadteachers from schools across thenorth west heard keynote addressesfrom outgoing National Association ofAdvisors for Computers in Education(NAACE) chairman, Miles Berry on therole of computing in the 2014 curriculumand Ken Corish, one of the authors of the360 e-safety tool who urged schools todevelop a ‘culture of safety’ within theircommunities. The delegates theopportunity to undertook practicalworkshops on new technology basedchallenges facing schools such asprogramming and e-publishing as wellas the chance to speak directly toleading manufacturers such as Toshiba,Acer, Fujitsu and Smart. This free eventwas hosted by MGL, the largestindependent provider of supportservices to schools across the NorthWest. Managing director Carl Gilbertsonsaid: “It’s clear from speaking to schoolsthat there is a lot of anxiety about whatthe new curriculum will actually meanfor them. As a company we’re uniquelyplaced to bring this eclectic mix ofeducationalists and technologists underthe one roof to translate some of thejargon and hopefully give some practicalsolutions about what the future maybring for them”.

STAFF GATHERFOR CONFERENCE

Schools urged to develop a ‘culture of safety’

Attendees networking

Teachers meetsuppliers

Welcome to delegates from MGLmanaging director CarlGilbertson

Delegates enjoy theirAnfield experience

MGL’s team run an ipad workshop

Ken Corish, SaferInternet Centre

One of the manyMGL workshops

p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 11:30 Page 80

Email us at [email protected] visit www.mglworld.comor call 0151 473 5975

Copyright © 2012 Merseygrid Limited. All rights reserved. All trademarks are acknowledged.

MGL LiverpoolFairfield House,Binns Road,Liverpool,L7 9NET: 0151 473 5975F: 0151 473 5976

MGL ManchesterCrossacres Primary School,Crossacres Road,Wythenshawe, Manchester,M22 5ADT: 0161 436 2244F: 0161 436 2344

For more information

Curriculum Support

Technical Support

Hardware Solutions

Internet Service Provision

Websites

Marketing & Design

Managed Print Solutions

p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 14:17 Page 81

COLLEGE’S £8MDEVELOPMENT

Turf turning marks start ofwork on Hugh Baird College

Joe Benton, MP forBootle & Owain Roberts

David Cain, Chris Pickupand Andrew Rogerson

Hugh Baird College celebrate thecommencement of works on site itsnew £8 million, state-of-the-artcommunity and higher educationdevelopment. The turf turningevent was attended by keyrepresentatives from the Collegeand Sefton, including Hugh BairdCollege principal, Yana Williams;Hugh Baird College’s chair ofgovernors, Jim Brown and MP forBootle, Mr Joe Benton. The cuttingof the turf marks the beginning ofwork on the new development,which is being undertaken by WatesConstruction, a leading contractor inthe north west. The new 2,600sq mdevelopment, which will open inJanuary 2014, will feature atechnologically advanced UniversityCentre.

Ian D'Arcy, Janet Triggand Mike Mountfield

Sandra Cooper, Peter Dowd (Leader of SeftonCouncil) and Cllr Linda Cluskey, Mayor of Sefton

Jim Brown(Chair of theCorporation,Hugh BairdCollege)

Geraldine Sloan and Cath Sullivan

Peter Dowd, Joe Benton, MP, Simone Taylor, YanaWilliams, Anthony Goulden (higher education student), Jim

Brown, Steve Griffin, Mayor Linda Cluskey & Neil Elliott

Yana Williams (principaland chief executive, HughBaird) and Angus Hughes

YanaWilliams,principaland chief

executive ofHugh Baird

College

Paul Ashcroftand Pat Farrell

p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 08:48 Page 82

From education to employment... come along and find out how we can help.

Open Day

To find out more visit:

hughbaird.ac.ukor call:

0151 353 4444The College is committed to

Equal Opportunities.Hugh Baird College, Balliol Road, Bootle L20 7EW

Wednesday, 26th June 2013 1pm – 7pm

Come and see the plans for our new University Centre.

www.facebook.com/HughBairdCollege www.twitter.com/HughBaird

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p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 08:48 Page 83

PUPILS IN CHARACTERSt John Bosco once again had another successfulworld book day with both the teachers and thestudents participating with fantastic costumes.Every year, Year 7 students dress up as theirfavourite book character to celebrate the day but thisyear they were joined by Year 8 in the celebration.The fun activities celebrated and emphasised theimportance of reading, the ‘drop and read’ eventgave students the chance to read a book of theirchoice. Despite the fantastic costumes that everyonefashioned, the best dressed prizes awarded eachstudent from each form class with the most creativeimaginative design.

HEALTH INBROADGREEN

Student volunteers from the sixth formof Broadgreen International School,Liverpool recently joined elderlyresidents from May Place, a nursinghome situated by the school, to helpteach them the complexities and delightsof information technology via ipads.This is all part of a project called iHealthwhich is being run by the FivewaysTrust alongside the school. iHealth isdesigned primarily to improve the healthand well being of elderly residents in

the community throughthe use of ipadtechnology. In thesummer the project willmove to Lee Valleypensioners andBroadgreen Primaryschool where primarypupils will join theirsixth form counterpartsin educatinggrandparents in thedark arts of informationtechnology!

A host of favouritebook characters

Year 7 and 8 pupilsjoin in the fun

Pupils from Broadgreen International Schoolwith residents from May Place

In full character -Year 8 pupils

Getting the hangof technology

Broadgreenteaching staffget involved

i

p73-84_covers 03/05/2013 08:48 Page 84

Sing i t.

Play i t.

Lea r n i t.

Telephone: 0 1 5 1 207 8580 w w w . r e s o n a t e h u b . c o . u k @ r e s o n a t e h u b

w i t h

creat ing mus ic Theory Club / Rock Club / Band Skills / DJing /Arranging / Improv. / Garage Band / Jazz / Music ICT / Jam Pods

performing Whole Class Instrumental / Liverpool Youth Orchestra / Tours / Rock Bands / Wind Bands / iPlay / String Groups/ Brass Band / High Profile Venues / Woodwind Groups

Sing ing Choral / iSing / Resonate Singers / School Choirs / Massed Singing Events ...and much more!

formerly L i v e r p o o l M u s i c s u p p o r t s e r v i c eLED BY NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC [email protected]

p85-96_covers 03/05/2013 08:49 Page 85

VISUAL FEAST FOR PUPILS

Calderstones produce another masterpiece

Jessica Murray asMolly (orphan)

Matthew Roberts asOliver Warbucks

Following the huge success of lastyears musical ‘Oliver’, Calderstonesagain delighted audiences with aproduction of ‘Annie’ recently.Pupils from Dovedale, Gilmour,Sudley and Booker junior schoolswere invited by the Calderstonescast to watch a matineeperformance earlier in the week, these were then followed by ‘full house’performances on three consecutive nights to pupils,parents, staff and the localcommunity. Audiences were thoroughly entertained and even treated to a special guest - ‘Max’ the dog!

The cast of Annie thankthe school band

Miss Hanninghan(Jaya Bhavnani)

attempts to charmMr Warbucks

Mr Warbucksresidence

A homelessperson

(BethTynan)

Rooster (Harry Scott), Annie (HollyNichols) and Lily (Niam Mercer)’

Some ofthe cast

Annie playedby HollyNicholls

Callum Roberts sings‘Show Business’

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PLEASE SIR CAN WEHAVE SOME MORE!

Crowds flock to seeoutstanding performance

Mr Sowerberry-Katie Wright, Mrs

Sowerberry –Sarah Ball andOliver-Eleanor

King

Workhouse boys -Year 7 and 8 girls

The audiences who flocked to seeBroughton Hall’s production ofOliver were certainly demandingmore after each evening’sperformance.A committed and talented castdrawn from all 3 key stages, spentmonths in preparation for this well-loved musical.A dedicated support and productionstaff including sixth form studentsworked together to ensure the finalperformances were of the highestpossible quality.

Fagin’s Gang - Year 7and 8 girls

Katie Costello asFagin with Dodger

and the boys

Bet - CarysO’Sullivan

Fagin and boys

Charlotte Bresweth - Nancywith Fagin and Bet

Widow Corney– Hannah Bradyand Mr Bumble-Eva Rodrigo

The ArtfulDodger –

DerrynShaw

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INTERNATIONALWEEK

Around the world in two and a half days

A happycustomer!

Big Ben on the move!

Every year at Litherland High Schoolthe week before Easter has alwaysbeen International Week. Pupils andstaff have taken part in all kinds ofdifferent activities over theyears from Chinese liondancing, staff zumbaand Tai Chi classes andplenty of internationalgames! This year theythought they would take ita step further! The whole of Year 7and 8 spent two and half daysworking towards their very ownInternational Market! They createdtheir very own currency the ‘Livo’,and the target was to become thegroup who could make the mostlivos! Pupils spent the first daylearning about the differentcontinents and some of the customs,this included South Americandancing and earning livos to spendin the market by completingdifferent activities! The second daywas production day! Each class wasgiven a box of items to make thingswhich represented their continent.Each group had to assign a projectmanager and other roles within thegroup. The last day was market day!The Avenue was transformed into abustling market place with 13 shopsall trying to sell their goods!

Some of the productsfrom Asia

A Walk throughthe World

Productsfrom South

America

South Americandancing!

Leave yourprint on the

World

Internationalgingerbread

cookies!

One of the Europestalls is ready to

sell, sell sell!

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GIRLS TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

Robots battle it out to be the best

Forty female students, fromsecondary schools across GreaterMerseyside, gathered together atDeyes High School in Maghull forthe ‘MerseySTEM Vex RoboticsChallenge’ recently. The girls-onlyevent, organised to celebrateInternational Women’s Day,involved students working in theirteams to build a Vex Protobot, thenbattling their robots against eachother in the ‘tennis ball tussle’, a‘robot wars’ style competition. Thequarter finals saw Meols Cop HighSchool, Sefton, competing againstWoodchurch High School, Wirraland The Bankfield School, Halton,taking on All Saints Catholic CFL,Knowsley. Eventually, in the final,Woodchurch gave an impressiveperformance but it was Bankfieldthat left with the winner’s trophy.

Students from WoodchurchHigh School, Wirral start on

their design

The equipmenteach team had to make theirrobots from

Pupils from All SaintsCatholic CFL find a problem

The girls do battle

The stage is set as each teamprepare their robots

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CELEBRITY BAKE-OFF

Chef joins Anfield InfantSchool for lunch

Mollie and Rudy gettheir hands dirty

Celebrity chef Simon Rimmerjoined pupils from Anfield InfantSchool during a school bake-off.The Wirral TV chef took on the roleof expert judge to choose the threebest recipes. The children wereasked to bring in their ideas fromhome involving eggs, which werethen provided by the school hensRafa and Rosie. The Sunday Brunchhost also got involved with thecooking, as teachers and parentshelped the children prepare theirmeals for tasting. The bake-off,sponsored by Lakeland, wasorganised to encourage the childrenand their parents to cook healthymeals at home. Simon said: “It wasbrilliant to be involved with thescheme, it is a great idea and I amvery proud to be a judge”.

Rudy Evans and Mollie Davislay on a surprise for chefSimon Rimmer

Miss - we’vefinished our

meatballs

DylanAshcroft

dices somecarrots

SamuelLittle-Smithhard atwork

Mr Metcalf givesthe instructions to

the junior andsenior chefs

Mollie Davisgives Simon ahelping hand

OliviaAstles

makes asauce

Mya Quinn, CharlieRoberts andJennifer Hansonhelp Mr Hanson

Mrs Bromley withSamuel Laila andOlivia

p85-96_covers 03/05/2013 11:55 Page 93

COMIC CELEBRATIONS Generous staff and students at Childwall Sports andScience Academy raised 100’s of pounds for ComicRelief in a range of activities including fancy dressand also a high quality set of performances of artswhich were completed by youngsters from Year 7 allthe way through to Year 13. The concerts whichwere exceptionally well received by the studentsinvolved singers, soloists, choirs, groups anddancers. The planning for the day long celebrationsinvolved all staff and students.

ONE OF A KINDIN KNOWSLEY

Gee Walker, mother and founder of TheAnthony Walker Foundation recentlyappeared at Park View Primary School inHuyton to participate in the celebrationpresentation of the ‘One of a Kind’project.The project involved the children fromseven Knowsley primary schools comingtogether for a half day session eachweek for five weeks. The sessions

involved a range ofspeakers as well asinteractive andcreative activities toraise the children’sawareness of issuessuch as discrimination,stereotyping and thedevastating impact ofhate crime - and theimportance ofpromoting diversityand respecting peoplefrom differentbackgrounds

Gee Walker with pupils fromKnowsley primary schools

Pupils show the differentforms of discimination

Even the teachersjoined in the fun

Geek chic!

Disco fever at Childwall

Pupils help raiseawareness

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PUPILS HAIRRAISING DAY

Science can be fun asstudents enjoy the activities

Over 650 students from primaryschools across Liverpool visited theAcademy of St Francis of Assisi fora day of learning and fun. It was theculmination of science week andRed Nose Day! In the main hallstudents were treated to a ‘scienceroadshow’. Experiments wereconducted with dry ice, chemicalsand electricity. The students weretaught the secrets behind HarryPotter’s magic tricks and even someof the special effects used in theStar Wars films. Finally, the Van deGraaff generator was wheeled outfor a hair-raising finale. Around therest of the school, the students tookpart in activities to help raiseawareness of the work done byComic Relief. Many of the staff andstudents wore something red to getinto the spirit of the day.

It’s called the ‘Van deGraaff’ look, sir

What happens next?

Miss Booth and theshocking shakes!

Full steam aheadwith Mrs Pugh

Steady, aim, fire!

Design yourown Red Nose

Huff, puff and blowthe school up!

Miss Boylan‘freezingflowers’

Harry Potterpopsicles

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CHEFS FOR THE DAYFor three days pupils from St Laurence’s CatholicPrimary School in Southdene were busy developingtheir culinary skills and food knowledge, thanks to aseries of healthy eating workshops delivered for thefirst time in Kirkby by Junior Chefs’ Academy. Theworkshops were arranged by head teacher Mr PaulCronin, who seesgreat benefits inteaching childrenabout the value offood from a veryyoung age. “Thechildren haveresponded withreal enthusiasm tothe Junior Chefsworkshops,they’ve beenreally focused andattentive, and it’sgreat to see thembeing given a realunderstanding offood in ways thatare bothmemorable andfun”.

BY ROYALAPPOINTMENT

St James, Bootle were recently honouredby a visit from Brigitte, Duchess ofGloucester. She came to St James’ toopen a wonderful new venture in thegrounds of the primary school, ‘Sadie’sGarden’. It is named after a much lovedparishioner, Sadie McMullen.Headteacher, Mrs Holleran, said: “Shealways wanted what was best for thisparish and worked hard to ensure thatour young people received the

opportunities thatperhaps others couldnot have”. The Duchess wasentertained by theschools African DrumCorp who lastperformed publicallyat Liverpool Cathedralfor the Don Boscorelics’ tour, she thentook a tour of theschool before meetingwith schoolchildrenand teachering staff.

Owen and Lewis makesa start on their dessert

Pupils try out the ‘taste test’Pupils learn newculinary skills

The Duchess talking tomembers of the school choir

Duchess Brigitte with Year 6students and school

governor, Victoria Lyon

The Duchess ofGloucester

formally cuttingthe ribbon to open

Sadie’s Garden

p96-108_covers 03/05/2013 08:55 Page 98

Viewpoint

Longer days and shorter holidays for pupils?

Pat Speed, headteacher at Great Crosby Catholic PrimarySchool, Crosby Children at primary schools are taught at a greater pace andintensity than ever before, so to extend their hours of learningthrough longer days or shorter breaks could disrupt a fine balanceand ultimately prove detrimental. Teachers recognise mental fatiguein pupils, especially among younger ones, towards the end of theday, week or term. I was with Mr Gove recently at a National Collegefor Teaching and Leadership event in Nottingham when he spokeabout this topic. He says he wants to stimulate rather than dictate adiscussion about its merits and see what evidence there is tosupport change. Working in shorter blocks and spreading theholidays more equally across the school year may have merit. Familylife, childcare arrangements, as well as the implications for staff willneed to be fully considered.

Afi Oladipo-Lordson, Year 10 Calderstones School ‘I think that the statement by Michael Gove is wrong. Yes timeshave changed, but people haven’t. Children need rest and time toplay. We often start the day by waking up early and by the lastlesson we are absolutely shattered and can’t wait to go home to doour own thing. If we have longer school days children will lose totalconcentration and I don’t see how that can be good for oureducation. So what if we go home and our parents are still in work -that is what holidays are for, to give us time to spend with ourfamilies and friends. Shortening this time is not a good thing. I donot agree with Mr Michael Gove!’

James Egan, Newly qualified teacherMichael Gove's recent comments regarding the lengthening ofschool hours and shortening term time prove how out of touch he iswith the professionals he is allegedly supposed to represent.Although many teaching staff agree the structure of the school yearrequires alteration, Mr Gove and his department are yet to offerviable alternatives. I would suggest that Mr Gove himself takes onboard the opinions and views of teachers who are, on the whole, notthe unreasonable and obstructive individuals painted out to be bythe minister for education and push themselves to the limit to givethe next generation every chance of success.

Clare Chapman, parent and teacherHaving taught for the past 21 years and some of them abroad, I dobelieve that the six weeks summer holiday is redundant in today'ssociety. I’d argue that it would be more productive to move to a sixterm model whereby each term is separated by a two week break. Ifthe school day were to be extended there would be the opportunityfor a variety of enrichment activities to be offered to pupils - sports,technology projects, languages, music, arts and theatre perhaps.The difficulty for schools would be in ensuring that staffing levelswere increased to maintain and improve current PPA provision.

Education Secretary Michael Gove has said that schools should have longer school days and shorterholidays, as the education system is being “handicapped” by a 19th century timetable, when we hadan agricultural economy and the majority of mums stayed at home. Does the current system leavepupils at a disadvantage?

Have your say:To suggest or contribute toa topic for debate inViewpoint email us at: [email protected] to view our on-line poll visit: www.educatemagazine.com

Education secretaryMichael Gove has calledfor longer school daysand a cut in the length ofholidays, which he saidwould improveperformance and makelife easier for workingparents.The reforms could allowstate schools to chooseto stay open until 4.30pmand introduce a shorter,four-week summerholiday for pupils fromSeptember next year,representing a profoundchange for parents usedto tailoring their workinghours to the classroomtimetable.Gove told a conference inLondon, organised by theSpectator magazine, thatpupils were beinghandicapped incomparison with theirpeers in other countries.“The structure of theschool term and theschool day was designedat a time when we hadan agriculturaleconomy,” he said.

Afi Oladipo-Lordson

James Egan

Pat Speed

Clare Chapman


p96-108_covers 03/05/2013 11:43 Page 99

Darling budsGirls glow

&boys bloom

IN SUMMER FLORALS

1. Cream Fluro flower shorts, £10, River Island

2. Vest top with corsage, £6, John Lewis

3. Suede and leather floral corsage pump, from £18, Marks and Spencer

4. Pink flower sunglasses, £4.50, Next

5. Candy couture skinny jeans, £14, Matalan

6. Glitter flower clip and brooch, £3.50, Claire’s Accessories

7. Flower hair garland headwrap, £6, Claire’s Accessories

1.

2.

3.

5.

4.

6.7.

p96-108_covers 03/05/2013 11:51 Page 100

1. J by Jasper Conran floral shirt, £14 -£20, Debenhams

2. Jeep Applique Shirt, £20, Monsoon

3. Hibiscus boys short (part of two pack), from £14, Next

4. Hibiscus print flip flop, £2, Matalan

5. Printed swim shorts, £12.99, Zara Kids

6. Buster swim shorts, £12, Monsoon

Stockists____claires.co.uk, next.co.uk, marksandspencer.com, matalan.co.uk, johnlewis.com, riverisland.com, debenhams.com, monsoon.co.uk

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Having built our new schoolwe’re well equipped to construct your child’s education

Everton Valley L4 4EZ Telephone: 0151 263 3104 [email protected] www.notredameliverpool.comHeadteacher: Mrs F Harrison BSc (Hons) NPQH

New School Building - Opening September 2013For more information please visit www.notredameliverpool.com or call us on 0151263 3104

AH QU'IL EST LEBON DIEUBON

p96-108_covers 03/05/2013 15:45 Page 102


Book Review by Jennifer Dobson

In association with

5-8 YearsCaptain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers by DavPilkey - £6.99Captain Underpants returns! In their ninth epic adventure, George and Harold encountera familiar face - Professor Poopypants! He now goes by the name Tippy Tinkletrousers andis determined to seek revenge for all of the teasing of his old name.

The Cat Mummy by Nick Sharratt, Jacqueline Wilson - £4.99 Verity adores her cat, Mabel, and is desperately sad when she dies. Remembering herrecent school lessons about the Ancient Egyptians, Verity decides to mummify Mabel andkeep her hidden. Verity's dad and grandparents can't bear to talk about death but whenthey eventually discover what Verity has done, the whole family realises it's time to talk.

Poppy the Piano Fairy by Daisy Meadows, Georgie Ripper - £4.99 The Music Fairies desperately need Rachel's and Kirsty's help! Jack Frost and hisnaughty goblins have stolen the fairies’ Magical Musical Instruments, which means thatmusic is being ruined for everyone! Jack Frost plans to use the instruments to help himwin a national talent competition in the human world, and with the help of the enchantedinstruments, he's bound to win.

Are you a librarian, teacher or purchasing manager? Do you buy books for your business or institution? Waterstones Liverpool offers a comprehensive account sales service. Contact Sarah Hughes, Children's Department, Liverpool ONE, 12 College Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 3DL. Tel: 0151 709 9820

9-12 Years FictionTom Gates is Absolutely Fantastic (at Some Things) by Liz Pichon - £6.99 This takes the form of Tom's battered homework diary - crammed with his doodles andstories. ‘Exciting news!’ Mr Fullerman announces that class 5F are going on an ‘ActivityBreak'! Which should be fun. As long as I don't get stuck in a group with anyone whosnores or worse still with ... Marcus Meldrew.

Moon Bear by Gill Lewis, Mark Owen - £8.99 When twelve-year-old Tam is sent to work at a bear farm in the city, he has never felt soalone. He hates seeing the cruel way the bears are treated, but speaking up will meanlosing his job. And if he can't send money home, how will his family survive? When a sickcub arrives at the farm, Tam secretly nurses it back to health and they develop anunbreakable bond.

The Flip-flop Club: Star Struck by Ellen Richardson - £5.99 Elly, Tash, and Sierra are back for another Flip-Flop Club adventure! It's time for theSunday Island Music Festival, and stages, tents, and ice-cream stands cover MelodyMeadows. The headline act is being kept top-secret, so when the three girls discover thatit's none other than their favourite girl band, they're buzzing with excitement!

Teenage FictionWill Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green - £7.99 One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, teenager Will Grayson crosses pathswith..."Will Grayson"! Two teens with the same name who run in two very different circlessuddenly find their lives going in new and unexpected directions. They team up toproduce the most fabulous musical ever to grace the high-school stage.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey - £7.99 The Passage meets The Hunger Games in The 5th Wave - a gripping new series fromCarnegie-shortlisted Rick Yancey. After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4thwave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave. On a lonelystretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them.

Invisibility by David Levithan, Andrea Cremer - £7.99 Stephen is used to invisibility. He was born that way. Invisible. Cursed. Elizabethsometimes wishes for invisibility. When you're invisible, no one can hurt you. So when hermother decides to move the family to New York City, Elizabeth is thrilled. It's easy toblend in there. Then Stephen and Elizabeth meet.

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WHERE CAN WE GO?Our pick of what’s happening out & about in the region

The Secret Garden 29 June 2013 7:00pm Speke Hall,Liverpool0151 427 7231Adult £10, Child £5

What lies behind the mysterious door in the garden wall?Classic children's tale by Frances Hodgson Burnett, retold byThe Bookworm Players, Liverpool's premier children's theatrecompany. Outdoor theatre on the iconic North Lawn at SpekeHall.Your chance to relive the story of Mary Lennox the sour-faced,sassy, 10-year-old girl whose time is occupied by wonderingabout the secret garden and a strange crying sound that cansometimes be heard around the house which the servantsignore or deny.Weather appropriate clothing and footwear advised and don'tforget your picnic!

Battle of the Atlantic Commemoration weekend 25-27 May 2013, 1-4pm Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, LiverpoolL3 4AQ. Tel: 0151 478 4499

Join the Maritime Museum as they commemorate the 70thanniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic - a vitallyimportant part of Liverpool's past. This family friendlyevent includes talks, role-play and craft activities for all thefamily. Historian Dan Snow talks about Liverpool’s pivotalrole in the campaign at sea with a free lecture on Saturday25 May from 2-3pm. Around 25 warships will arrive in thecity from countries around the globe including Canada,Germany, Italy, Russia and USA.Activities will take place at the waterfront and city centreincluding a cathedral service, veterans parade, a specialband concert by Her Majesty’s Royal Marines at thePhilharmonic Hall, a 40s themed party at St George’s Hall,a fly past and a James Bond-style display involving theRoyal Marines. The Museum’s very own Brocklebanktugboat will also play a part in the event.

FU

TU

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Rhythm and Rap withWorld Poetry SlamChampion Harry Baker Liverpool Cathedralwww.cathedralshop.comTickets: £5 (£2.50 concessions)An amazing evening ofrhythm and rap is happeningat Liverpool Cathedral onMay 11th. As part of thecathedral’s contribution tothe In Other Words festivalthey will welcome threeamazing talents – Harry Baker, Kof and Ady Suleiman for afantastic evening. World Poetry Slam Champion and Edinburgh Festivalfavourite Harry Baker will dazzle with wit and lyricalartistry. Harry comes with five star reviews and acclaimedperformances across Europe - as Radio 1 said "simply put -the greatest performer on earth".Alongside Harry they welcome local singer songwriter Kofperforming the words of young people from the Welcome tomy World Project telling real life stories of growing up oncity streets.If that's not enough 1Xtra favourite and LIPA student AdySuleiman complements the bill with a raw talent that takesthe breath away. Ady has already supported ProfessorGreen and is tipped for future greatness.

Saturday 11 May

One

for the

family

Esco Williams HomecomingFriday 28 June, 7:00pm. Tickets: FreeThe Epstein Theatre, 85 Hanover StreetLiverpool 0844 888 4411

Esco Williams returns to his hometown,Liverpool, for the ‘grand finale’ of his “Stand UpSpeak Out” tour in partnership with the AnthonyWalker Foundation. This is NOT to be missed.Esco Williams – MOBO UnSung Winner 2012 – isjoined by his band The Kontrollers for a one-nightonly show. MTV Brand New 2012 runner-up andself-professed ‘soul-powered nerd’ has vocals thatdig deep into the soul of listeners; providing arich R ‘n’ B / Soul experience.

Great

one to

watch

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FILM and GAME REVIEW

Venus andSerena Directed and producedby: Maiken Baird andMichelle Major

Verdict: ★★★★★By Andy KellyFor those who lovesport this fly-on-the-wall documentary is amust. The film takes us inside the lives of tennissuperstars Venus and Serena Williams, during ayear when debilitating injuries and life-threatening illness threatened to take them out ofthe game once and for all.The film takes an unfiltered look into the lives ofthe greatest sister-act professional tennis has everseen. In a sport where they were not welcomed,the indomitable Williams sisters faced theopposition with grace and courage not onlybreaking new ground for female and AfricanAmerican athletes everywhere, but dominatingthe women's game for over a decade. The film tellsthe inspiring story of how these two women,against all odds, but the help of visionary parents,made it to the top.Also explores the struggle of these two ageingsuperstars during the 2011 tennis season as theybattled life and career-threatening healthproblems.

80 Miles from HomeUnity TheatreHope Place, Liverpool 0844 873 2888

1941 and Hitler’s bombs areraining down on Liverpool.When a widowed farmer opensher home to eight Liverpoolevacuees, all their lives areabout to be changed forever.When they hear a rumourthere’s buried treasure on Flo’sland the real adventure begins.Tickets: £5.50

The Dragon that Squeaked St George’s Hall, Liverpool0151 225 6911www.stgeorgesliverpool.co.uk

St George’s Hall storytelling day.A day of fun family storytellingand author readings. Severalpopular writers will be sharingtheir stories and talking abouthow they became authors in thisseries of fun, exciting andsometimes a little bit scaryevents.

Saturday 18 May

Mobile Homme Edge Hill UniversitySt Helens Road, Ormskirk01695 584480

The outdoor spectacular fromFrench street theatre troupeTranse Express is an aerialexperience to remember for allthe family. Amid suspendedmusicians a graceful trapezeartist, performing aerialacrobatics above the crowd.Free event - please book yourticket at the box office.

Thursday 11 July

Swan LakeLiverpool Empire Theatre,Liverpool 0844 871 3017Tickets: £10-£38

The greatest romantic ballet of alltime is brought to life byTchaikovsky’s haunting andunforgettable score. From theimpressive splendour of thepalace ballroom to the moon-litlake where swans glide in perfectformation, this compelling tale oftragic romance has it all.

Wednesday 3 July

MR CRAB Illusion Labs

iphone and ipad

Verdict: ★★★★✩

By Andy Kelly

Mr Crab isdeceptivelyadorable. Thescuttling, googly-eyed protagonist may lure incasual players and platforming newcomers, but itprogressively becomes very addictive. The naturaldifficulty ramp sets it apart from its fellow mobileplatformers. By the time I reached the late stages,Mr Crab had me firmly in its claws.It all begins unassumingly enough. Mr Crab is anexpressive little hat-wearing hero that auto-runsfrom side to side as he makes his way up circularpatterns of sand piles, trees, rock formations andice crystals. The stage rotates around him,switching direction when he hits a wall, and younavigate using a simple control scheme: short tapfor a short jump, long tap for a long jump.Determining which to use as you jump acrossplatforms and up walls is the key to its devilishsimplicity. Mr Crab is an adorable game. Though itcould have spent more time iterating on itseventual difficulty, it’s the right size as a digestiblechunk of the platformers of yesteryear. Conquestfeels like an accomplishment, and I can only hopemore skill-testing crab walks are on the way.

Live from Jodrell Bank: The TransmissionsMacclesfield, CheshireSK11 9DL 01477 571766

The Transmissions are a seriesof one off day shows takingplace on an outdoor stage inthe shadow of the observatory.Acts include New Order,Johnny Marr, The Whip, JakeEvans and Hot Vestry. Under10’s must be accompanied byadults. It’s a show like no other.Tickets: £39.50

Sunday 7 July

The Complete Works ofWilliam Shakespeare The Atkinson, Lord Street,Southport 01704 533333

All 37 plays in 97 minutes! Anirreverent, fast-paced rompthrough the Bard's plays. Jointhe madcap men in tights asthey weave their wicked waythrough all of Shakespeare'scomedies, histories andtragedies in one wild ride thatwill leave you breathless andhelpless with laughter.

Wednesday 12 June

Saturday 27 July

Not to be

missed

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My School DaysRyan Doyle – World free running champion

Liverpool born Ryan Doyleis a freerunner and parkourworld champion and is oneof the founding athletes ofthe world freerunning andparkour federation. Ryan is also four timesNational TrickingChampion, twice world freerunning champion and agold medalist in martial artsfrom various competitionsaround the world. As soon as he graduated heflew himself to the Red BullArt of Motion 2007 event inVienna, Austria, the firstfree running competition inthe world, where hebecame the WorldChampion.Ryan has also toured theUK with a Christian, hiphoprap band, and incorporatedvaroius stunts in the showsin which they performed.He has always beeninterested in film work, andhis inspiration he says ismartial arts actor JackieChan. Ryan along with brotherAnthony and friends haveset up AirbornEntertainment, aproduction company inLiverpool that teachesmedia and parkourworkshops to schools anduniversities. With thesuccess of parkour andRyans success, Airborn hasgrown to the AirbornAcademy offeringopportunities and a homefor the large parkourcommunity in Liverpool.

My School: My primaryschool was St Paschal Baylon,Childwall and my secondary school StFrancis Xavier's College, Liverpool.

My Favourite Teacher:Mrs Schofield, an art teacher at SFX, notonly was she very interesting but shetreated all us kids as if we were her own.

Favourite Subject at School: ICT, I hada passion for IT and found it fascinating -it was like a window to the world for me.

Were you streetwise or a bit of a geek?Probably a bit of both at times. I knewwhat I had to do to get on and just didwhat I needed to pass my exams.

My Favourite Childhood Band/Singer:Eminem, I just loved the whole rap sceneand still do. I wasn’t a fan of bands,particularly boy bands.

My Favourite Extra-Curricular Activity:Filming was and has always been apassion of mine. I did a bit in sixth form, Ireally wanted to be a film-maker.

Do you remember your firstschool crush? Yeah! Her namewas Jenine, I was gutted whenshe moved to Brighton, but Iremember that my ICTteacher was pretty hot atsecondary school too.

My Favourite Book: Iwasn’t a great reader ofbooks but I loved theGoosebumps series.

School Dinners: I havereally bad memories ofschool dinners atprimary school, so muchso that when I went to secondary school Ialways had a packed lunch. Jamie Oliverwas too late for me!

My Ambitions at School: Ialways wanted to make anaction film, and I’m almostthere! I have alwaysthought that one day Iwill be behind thecamera. My otherambition was to be astuntman, Jackie Chan was afilm hero of mine.

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www.merseyrail.org/familyfunWirral images copyright of Wirral Council.

Why not take the family on a bit of an adventure, with a great value Family Ticket from Merseyrail.

There’s so much to see and do across our network that you won’t be able to fit it all into just one day!

All Zone Family ticket (2 Adults, 3 Children) £10.00For unlimited off peak travel across the Merseyrail network.

Family adventure,for only a tenner

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educate issue 20 2013

Documents

comeducatethe magazine

educatefreethe magazine

headteacher ofgateacre

copyright mersey mirror

hisliverpool school

paul catholicprimary

henry street

sportin schools